How Can You Protect Your Oral Health From Gum Disease?

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July 15, 2020

Did you know that about half of Americans age 30 and older have periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is caused by untreated plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth and gums.

The bacteria in dental plaque is enough to irritate your gums and cause them to bleed more easily. Fortunately, our dentists can help protect your smile from periodontal disease with gum disease treatment in Charlotte, NC.

While gum disease can be cured in its early stages by good oral hygiene and professional teeth cleanings, the same can’t be said for periodontitis (the advanced form of gum disease). Periodontal disease deteriorates the bone structure supporting your teeth and causes your gums to recede, putting you at higher risk for tooth loss.

Protect Your Smile from Periodontal Disease

#1 Identifying the Signs

To protect your oral health from periodontal disease, it is essential to identify the early signs of gum disease and treat it at its earliest stage – gingivitis. Unfortunately, many people are unaware they have gum disease until the next time they see their dentist.

Symptoms of gum disease include:

  • Tender or swollen gums
  • Bleeding gums
  • Receding gums
  • Loose teeth
  • Perpetual bad breath

Regular dental checkups play an important role in preventing periodontal disease. You may not always be able to spot the early signs of gum disease. But in a regular check-up, our dentists can diagnose gum disease early. Keep in mind that some people may be asymptomatic, meaning that they show no symptoms of gum disease until it’s too late. This gives you a upper hand as you can start getting periodontal therapy early on and stop the condition from progressing into something severe.

#2 Adopt a Thorough Oral Hygiene Routine

One of the main causes of gum disease is not following a healthy oral hygiene routine. If you have recently been diagnosed with periodontal disease, you’ll need to make sure you brush your teeth twice a day, floss once daily, and use a fluoride mouth rinse. The best way to slow down the progression of periodontal disease is to remove dental plaque from the surface of your teeth and gums.

You’ll also want to make sure you see one of our dentists every 6 months for a dental exam and teeth cleaning. Depending on the severity of your case, our dentists may find it necessary to schedule dental appointments more frequently to account for gum disease treatment in Charlotte, NC.

#3 Get Periodontal Therapy – Scaling & Root Planning

If you have periodontal disease, you’ll notice your gums starting to pull away from your teeth. Receding gums deepen the pockets around your teeth and get filled with dental plaque. Thankfully, our dentists can remove dental plaque above and below the gum line through a procedure called scaling and root planning. During this procedure, our dentists will also smooth out tooth roots so gums have a better chance of reattaching to teeth. Antibiotics can also be used to help treat periodontal disease.

Combining the best measures and treatments, our team will help you stop gum disease from progressing and reversing the situation as far as possible. We have the best dentist for gum disease treatment in Charlotte NC. If you want to retain good oral health and fight off gum disease, contact us today!