Gum disease is often hard to avoid; however, once it is detected, patients can immediately visit their general dentist for a diagnosis and treatment plan. In order for it to be detected, the dentist will have to rely on any symptoms or signs that indicate a problem. Ready to learn more about the signs?
Sometimes when patients brush or floss their teeth, they will notice bleeding. Minor bleeding from time to time is normal and quite common, however, if the bleeding is excessive, it may indicate gum disease. Bleeding indicates that the gums are not healthy and that there may be an infection. Rinsing with a saltwater mixture can help reduce bleeding and clear out infected areas, however, this is not a permanent solution. It is important to follow up with a general dentist for long-term treatment.
The gums are supposed to be pink and soft, however, when gum disease is present, they may appear red or white. Red or white spots or patches on the gums are often signs that there is an abscess, which is a common symptom of gum disease. While it can be tempting to push on the areas, it is important not to. Instead, visit a general dentist immediately to have the spots examined.
Swollen or puffy gums almost always indicate an infection. Typically, swelling occurs because there is an abscess or areas that have excessive buildup. When looking at the gums, it is important to see if they overextend past the teeth. If they do, it usually means they are severely infected. Just like with spots or patches, it can be tempting to press on swollen areas, but it is best to not, in order to avoid irritation.
One of the main indicators of gum disease is when the gums begin to recede. When they are receding, they essentially look like they are pulled back from the teeth. When there is a serious infection in the gums, the bone beneath will begin to deteriorate, which will ultimately cause the teeth to look longer and the gums look shorter. Receding usually takes place in the later stages of gum disease.
When the gums physically hurt, it is best to visit a general dentist. Pain usually indicates that gum disease is present or developing. Patients may experience pain when brushing along the gum lines or a dull pain that feels sore. Both can be managed by taking an over-the-counter medication for pain, but ultimately, a general dentist will need to diagnose and treat the problem.
There are a lot of signs that indicate that gum disease is present, however, there are times when only a dentist can detect the infection. This is why it is extremely important to regularly see a general dentist. They can perform regular examinations and x-rays to detect and diagnose gum disease, at any stage. Reach out today to learn more or to get started!
Request an appointment here: https://www.mycaredentals.com or call My Care Dental at (512) 590-6634 for an appointment in our Austin office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Gum Disease in Austin, TX.
Like tooth decay, gum disease is preventable. You can avoid serious oral health problems by improving a few habits and being more diligent about your dental care. Gum disease can affect people of all ages. It can also contribute to infections, tooth loss, and other concerns. Your dentist can help you avoid this condition and…
Learning about how gum disease is treated is a great idea, as many people experience some level of dental anxiety because they do not know what to expect. Since general dentists treat all types of gum disease, patients can make a list of questions about this dental disease to ask their dentist next time they…
Scaling and root planing for gum disease is an often performed dental procedure that involves cleaning deep down toward the tooth root and below the gum line to remove built-up plaque and tartar. It is a more extensive form of routine dental cleaning and often necessary when treating advanced cases of gum disease.Minor instances of…
There are a lot of different treatments for gum disease, all of which are determined based on the severity of the infection. Some procedures can be done by a general dentist and hygienist, while others may require a periodontist and oral surgeon.Gum disease should never go untreated! In this article, we discuss the different treatments…
Sedation dentistry is a common option for various levels of dental treatment in today's age. It can help with something as simple as teeth cleaning to something more serious, like a tooth extraction. Regardless for the reason, people are curious about sedation dentistry and have several questions.1. Sedation dentistry can ease anxietySedation dentistry is the…
One of the procedures that can be used to effectively get your smile back to its best is a partial dentures. It can help restore the ability to chew and eat normally again with a much more aesthetically pleasing look.If you have ever had a tooth become damaged or severely decayed, then you probably know…