Periodontal (Gum) Disease Surprise, AZ
The teeth get all the glory! People forget how crucial a role gums play in the health of your mouth. When your gums suffer, your whole mouth suffers. At Surprise Smiles we recognize the important role that gums play and will do our best to keep you educated on what it takes to keep them happy. Not to mention, we offer plenty of procedures that can help to bring gums back from the brink.What is Gum Disease?
Everyone knows that if you don't take care of your teeth they will get cavities. The same concept applies to your gums, if you don't take care of them they will become infected - this infection is known as gum disease or periodontitis. The bad bacteria in your mouth that cause tooth decay and gum disease is known as plaque. When it builds up and isn't washed away by your brushing and flossing it just accumulates.
As plaque accumulates on your teeth it will eventually harden into a substance known as tartar. If you ignore your oral hygiene duties for long enough, eventually plaque will even start to build up below your gum line. That's right, that fuzzy, gross stuff that show up on your teeth can even show up on the roots of your teeth. When it shows up on the roots, that's when gum disease gets its first chance.
Early Stage
When gum disease is just starting out it will be hard for you to notice. There aren't real big symptoms for you to take heed of, instead it's small stuff. Here are some warning signs that you may be developing gum disease:
| • | Gums that bleed easily or frequently
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| • | Gums that are red
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| • | Gums that are swollen
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| • | Persistent bad breath |
If you notice any of these symptoms, you should set up an appointment to be seen by us right away. The one good thing about early stage gum disease is that it is reversible. If we catch it early and take aggressive measures to stop it's spread, we can return your gums to a healthy state.
Late Stage
When gum disease reaches the late stage it's often referred to as periodontitis. Periodontitis is not curable, and can have a devastating impact on your oral health. Everything from tooth loss, to bone and soft tissue loss can be brought on by periodontitis. It's even linked to general health conditions like stroke and cardiovascular disease.
Here are some of the symptoms and issues that accompany periodontal disease:
| • | Gums that aren't flush with teeth
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| • | Food and particulate matter between gums and teeth
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| • | Tooth loss
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| • | Bone loss
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| • | Soft tissue loss
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| • | Loose teeth
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| • | Permanent bad breath |
| • | Change in bite |
| • | TMJ pain |
How to Prevent Periodontitis
Gum disease is a serious illness and should be avoided at all costs. Fortunately, it isn't hard to avoid gum disease with regular oral hygiene. Always brush after meals and floss at least once a day. Don't forget that a normal part of every oral hygiene routine is showing up to our office at least twice a year for regular cleanings and exams.
