You’re rinsing your teeth after brushing or flossing when you see blood in the sink. Should you be alarmed? The answer is maybe not…and yes. You’re most likely experiencing the earliest stage of gum disease.
But if you act now, your dentist in Lincoln may be able to steer you easily and quickly in the right direction – no harm, no foul! Find out why now is the time to take action.
What are the stages and symptoms of gum disease?
In its simplest form, gum disease is inflammation of the gums. It’s caused by natural bacteria found in your mouth that constantly forms a sticky film called plaque to develop on your teeth. This bacteria is completely normal, but it loves to feed on sugar, which turbo-boosts the bacteria’s growth. The more bacteria you have, the more prone you will be to tooth decay, enamel erosion, and inflamed gums.
There are 3 stages:
Gingivitis
This inflammation of the gums is often reversible and is characterized by:
- Blood in your spit after brushing or flossing
- Puffy, tender or red gums (rather than pink)
- Receding gums
Periodontal Disease
When gum disease advances, a pocket can form below the gumline which allows food, plaque and bacteria to do even more damage. Decay or erosion begin to irreversibly affect the supporting bone and fibers. With help from your dentist, you can improve your dental hygiene and get treatment to prevent more damage.
As the disease progresses, you may experience:
- Worsening bleeding at the slightest touch
- Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth
- Shifting teeth
- Pus coming from your gums
Advanced Periodontitis
At this final stage, bone below your teeth has been critically damaged, causing abscesses and shifting or loosened teeth,which may result in the need to remove teeth.
How can I cure my gum disease?
At early stages of gum disease, treatments your dentist in Lincoln may use to reverse or halt the progress of damage include:
- Professional cleaning: Removes plaque and calculus or tartar (hardened plaque that cannot be self-removed)
- Scaling and root planing: Removes plaque and tartar below the gum and helps to prevent plaque formation on the roots of your teeth (Anesthesia is usually required for this procedure.)
- Antibiotics:Applied directly to the gums to neutralize any remaining bacteria after the treatment
Procedures required for advanced stages of gum disease vary based on amount of damage sustained.
How can I prevent gum disease before it starts?
Benjamin Franklin said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” In other words, it’s easier to prevent gum disease than it is to heal it, especially in advanced stages.
To prevent the disease, your dentist will teach you how to put good hygiene practices in places. These will include brushing and flossing at least two times a day, and scheduling cleanings two times a year to stay ahead of any damage. If damage does begin to occur, follow prescribed treatment plans to halt the disease in its tracks.
About the Author
At Olberding Dental, Dr. Louis Olberding’s goal is to exceed his patients’ expectation, no matter how complex your problem is or how nervous you are about dentistry. If you think you have gum disease and want comfortable, caring help, contact us today at (402) 488-2325 to learn more about your options.