Raise Your Awareness About Gum Disease
February is a special month in general dentistry. It may not be all the exciting, but it is Gum Disease Awareness Month.
With that in mind, you may notice that we will be putting a little more emphasis on gum disease in our blogs. This is because we know how common gum disease is, and we want you to know what can be done to treat it.
If you should need gum disease treatments, you can get them at our dentist office in Tulsa, OK. Keeping your gums healthy is an important part of a having a healthy mouth.
To learn more or to schedule an appointment at Galleria of Smiles, call 918.999.0142 or contact us online.
Facts & Figures About Gum Disease
As part of our efforts to raise awareness about gum disease, here are some things you may want to know:
➤ Gum disease is also called periodontal disease.
➤ Gingivitis is the mild form of gum disease. Periodontitis is advanced gum disease.
➤ Around 80 percent of Americans have some form of gum disease, according to the American Dental Hygienists Association.
➤ According to the Centers for Disease Control, 47.2 percent of Americans 30 years old and older have some form of periodontitis. This includes 8.5 percent, or roughly 1 in 12 people, who have severe periodontitis.
➤ Periodontal disease may be an indicator of other health concerns. Cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and premature birth are among the issues with links to gum disease.
➤ Using tobacco products of any kind can increase your risk of gum disease and make it more difficult to treat a gum infection.
➤ Gum disease causes more tooth loss than tooth decay or accidents.
Learn The Signs Of Gum Disease
In the early stages, gum disease is usually painless, so you may not realize you have it at first.
Keep in mind that your healthy should be pink and feel firm to the touch. If your gums are redder than usual or feel swollen, then you may have gingivitis.
Bleeding is another signs that you have mild gum disease. Many people think that bleeding while flossing or brushing is normal. It’s not. It’s a clue that you may not be flossing as often as you should or that you aren’t flossing correctly.
If you have questions about flossing, just ask one of the dental professionals at Galleria of Smiles. We can explain what you should be doing and how to do it.
When left untreated, gingivitis can lead to periodontitis. This form of gum disease requires professional treatment.
For that reason, call our dentist office in Tulsa, OK, if you notice any of these symptoms:
▪︎ Frequent bleeding from your gums (more than just when you brush or floss)
▪︎ Sore, tender gums
▪︎ Pain in your gums while eating
▪︎ Pus leaking from your gums
▪︎ Persistent bad breath or a lingering bad taste in your mouth
▪︎ Teeth that feel loose or changes in how partial dentures fit in your mouth
As we mentioned earlier, gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in the United States. A big part of the reason for that is that many people wait too long to seek treatment.
We want you to keep smiling. That’s why we hope you will visit Galleria of Smiles for your gum disease treatment before it’s too late.
Gum Disease Treatments
We prefer to treat gum disease in the least invasive way possible. Early treatment allows you to heal more quickly, and it is more effective.
With gingivitis, you may be able to reverse the condition on your own. Try to be more intentional about brushing twice a day for two minutes at a time, and remember to floss between your teeth every day.
If you don’t see improvements, then you likely already have periodontitis. That’s when you should call Galleria of Smiles.
Our first step may be scaling and root planing. This is done to remove bacteria, plaque, and tartar from the roots of your teeth. Using a dental laser, we also can remove infected tissue from your mouth.
In more advanced cases, oral surgery may be necessary to remove the infection. We may use a dental laser as part of this treatment as well as it can be more comfortable and reduce recovery time.
Stay Aware Of Your Gum Health
Gum disease can affect anyone, which is why we encourage everyone to make regular visits to our dentist office in Tulsa. The team at Galleria of Smiles is here to help you prevent and treat gum disease.
Call 918.999.0142 or contact us online if you have any questions.
