When it comes to the body, it’s very forgiving. Your body was designed to repair itself efficiently with best practices and good nutrition. One of the best practices is prevention. When it comes to our teeth, treating any disease early on will work out effectively for our smile. Periodontal (gum) disease affects about 50 percent of American adults over 25. Gum disease occurs when the bacteria present in our mouth reacts with food particles and mucus to form plaque. This bacteria can cause inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) where they become swollen, tender, red and bleed easily. Here are the symptoms to be aware of:
- Red, tender, extremely soft or swollen gums
- Foul, offensive breath
- Bleeding gums when you brush/floss your teeth
- Teeth sensitivity to hot and cold
- Heavy tartar buildup, yellowing teeth
- Loose teeth
Simple brushing and flossing can remove the plaque and keep this reaction under control. But if you detect these signs of gingivitis or worse (periodontitis), professional dental intervention is necessary to reverse it. Periodontitis is severe inflammation of the gum surrounding a tooth. Infection sets in above and below the gum line.
As a preventive measure visit your dentist regularly for check-ups, professional cleaning, and periodontal assessments. An in-depth appraisal will check the condition of your teeth, dental structure, the form of your bite and risk factors according to your age, personal health and family genetics.
Reversing Gum Disease By A Dentist Professional
The periodontist, dentist or dental hygienist can remove plaque, tartar and what your toothbrush misses through various procedures. Treatment starts with a deep cleaning called scaling. This is the manual scraping off of tartar from below and above the gum line. This requires a metal tool or ultrasonic technology. Medications may also be prescribed to eliminate bacteria. If these treatments are not enough, surgery will be needed. Inflammation may cause severe or advanced problems with gum recession. A routine procedure called Flap Surgery requires moving back the gums to dispose of tartar and decay. The gums are sutured to fit adequately around the tooth, allowing for the gums to heal properly. When periodontal disease has progressed to the point of tooth and bone deterioration, grafts and implants will have to be performed. Bone grafting, placement of natural or artificial bone where actual bone loss has occurred, will make your jaw strong enough to support an implant. This technique allows connective tissue and bone to regenerate naturally. Soft tissue grafting should be implemented if you have exposed tooth roots. An alternative to dentures and dental bridges, missing teeth can be replaced through dental implants.
Reversing Gum Disease By Yourself
Back to basics is the call of the day. An established routine of brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once a day represent your front line of defense. This ritual should prevent bacterial plaque from reappearing on your teeth and irritating your gums. Strengthening your immune system effectively slows the advancement of gum disease. Abandoning destructive habits, like smoking, will encourage your mouth to heal more rapidly. And drinking copious amounts of ordinary water will do wonders for your mouth. Did you know your own saliva helps rid nasty microbes from your smile? Anti-bacterial mouthwash and peroxide used regularly will also help.
What to Do Next for Reversing Your Gum Disease?
Gum disease can be reversed and cured. After following a treatment plan designed by your periodontic specialist it’s critical to implement good practices to prevent a reappearance of dental problems. If you live in West Hollywood, the geographical heart of Los Angeles, you will find the most up-to-date improvements and developments in modern periodontal technology. Provided by experts in general, holistic and cosmetic dentistry, their care allows patients the most significant chance in reversing gum disease.
