The mouth is the gateway to our bodies. We put our teeth and gums through quite a lot, from our food and drink choices, to smoking or chewing tobacco, and playing risky sports such as baseball, football, and hockey. Unfortunately, gum disease is a problem that we can also face, even if we make all the right choices,
Gum disease, in the language of healthcare, is a condition known as periodontitis. Forms of it range from mild to severe. When left unaddressed, gum disease can weaken the tissues that hold your teeth in place and spread to the bones beneath. This can lead to tooth loss or worse should infections spread.
Dentists on our team at Lovett Dental Gulfgate can provide various treatments such as scaling, teeth cleaning, or root planing. The important thing is to never wait to get help. The longer you wait, the more potential damage you might risk.
Types of Gum Disease
There are two main types of gum disease. It often begins as gingivitis. Gingivitis causes a slight amount of discomfort. You might notice that your gums are swollen or bleed easily while brushing. In certain cases, with the right treatment and attention, gingivitis may be reversible if caught in time.
Left untreated, gingivitis may progress into periodontitis, where plaque on your teeth spreads beneath your gum line. There, it turns to a bacteria that attacks both your gums as well as the underlying bone.
The most immediate risk is for the gums to lose their ability to keep the teeth in place. You can suddenly find gaps in your smile, requiring more advanced treatments such as dental implants.
If it seems like this might apply to you, consider exploring gum disease treatments at our facility in Gulfgate, Texas.
5 Common Causes
The best thing you can do to avoid gum disease is to practice excellent dental hygiene. But even that might not be enough. Some causes of gum disease are beyond our immediate control. Here are five of the most common ones:
- Hormonal shifts in females, especially during pregnancy
- Dry mouth caused by certain prescription medications
- Angles of the teeth in your mouth – Having a crowded mouth can be a haven for bacteria
- Poor diet choices, leading to vitamin deficiency
- Smoking or chewing tobacco, which causes problems in the normal functioning of gums
If these causes lead to gum disease, you may need to consider treatments such as scaling, cleaning, or root planing.
Signs of Gum Disease
Gum disease will make itself known before too long, which is why going to the dentist frequently is so critical to identify potential problems ahead of time. Bleeding gums are the telltale sign, but there are others. Some of the signs of gum disease include:
- Tenderness to the touch
- Bad breath
- Signs of pus between teeth and gums
- Losing teeth
- Painful to chew on a tooth
- New gaps appearing in your teeth
- A shift in the way you bite
As with any dental condition, early treatment provides the best chance for a good outcome. Contact Lovett Dental Gulfgate to discuss your options.
Count on Lovett Dental Gulfgate for Treatment
Gum disease can be painful and poses a risk to your overall health. If you need gum disease treatments, consider Lovett Dental Gulfgate. The staff at Lovett Dental’s mall location in Gulfgate, Texas is ready to help you treat and stop gum disease. Also, through our general dentistry services such as professional teeth cleaning, we can help you lower the risk of gum disease returning. Lovett Dental Gulfgate also provides a full range of options including general dentistry, pediatric dentistry, and cosmetic dentistry. We’ll guide you through various procedures that require dental specialties and are always here for dental emergencies. Let us help you improve your dental health. For an appointment, contact Lovett Dental Gulfgate by calling us at 713-847-8822.