Gum Disease And Gum Care Treatment

 

Treat Your Gum Disease to Unlock a Brighter Smile 

 

Gum Disease

What causes gum disease? If left undealt with, poor dental hygiene, smoking, medications, and diabetes are just some of the causes of gum disease. 

How can gum disease be prevented? Lower your risk for gum disease by brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing regularly, and quitting smoking. 

Can you whiten your teeth if you have gum disease? Dental professionals say no. Whitening products use teeth bleach that can exacerbate gum disease symptoms and increase teeth sensitivity. 

How is gum disease treated? Gum disease can be treated at home with remedies like warm salt water, hydrogen peroxide, and brushing your teeth with baking soda diluted in water. In-office treatments include scaling and root planing, regular dental cleanings, and surgical options. 

There's nothing quite like having a radiant smile. It provides you with a boost of confidence that lasts whether you're at the office, out on the town, or at home. However, getting your dream smile isn't always easy. As we age, our teeth can be stained in many different ways. For example, your teeth could turn brown or yellow from coffee, tobacco use, poor oral care, or even from the medication that you take. 

When this happens, many individuals turn to whitening procedures to reclaim their smiles. However, dental professionals recommend avoiding whitening products if you have gum disease or gingivitis. This is because whitening solutions typically contain specialized teeth bleach. The active ingredient in these products can exacerbate your existing issues and increase teeth sensitivity. So, how do you get whiter teeth if you have gum disease or related issues? The first step to your dream smile is addressing your gum disease. 

 What is gum disease? 

Gum disease, or periodontitis, is a condition that affects both your gums and teeth. It typically starts when bacteria begin growing in your mouth. At this stage, dental professionals call it gingivitis. If you have gingivitis, you may notice that you bleed easily from brushing your teeth. You may also experience inflamed gums. These symptoms are caused by the build-up of plaque in your mouth. 

If left untreated, gingivitis will advance to full-blown gum disease. When this happens, the inner layer of gum and bone pulls away from your teeth. This process creates little pockets in your mouth. These pockets collect debris and, over time, can become infected. It's important to treat gingivitis and gum disease immediately after being diagnosed. Long-term, this disease can lead to tooth loss from the destruction of tissue that surrounds your teeth. 

What causes gum disease? 

There isn't just one thing that causes periodontitis. Rather, there are a multitude of events that can lead to gum disease. For example, your gum disease could have been caused by: 

● Hormonal changes due to puberty, pregnancy, or menstruation 

● Smoking or tobacco use 

● Poor oral hygiene habits 

● Illnesses like HIV, cancer, and even diabetes 

● A family history of dental disease 

● Medications like Dilantin, Procardia, and Adalat 

Early detection of gum disease can make it easier to treat. If you think you may have gum disease, keep your eye open for the following symptoms: 

● Loose or shifting teeth 

● Changes in the way your teeth fit together after biting down 

● Swollen, tender, or red gums 

● Receding gums 

● Lasting bad breath 

● Gums that bleed during and after tooth brushing 

If you've been experiencing some of these symptoms, then it may be time for you to visit a dental professional. They can provide you with a treatment plan that is designed specifically with your needs in mind. Consider using DentalChat to get started with your plan of action. You can speak directly with a licensed dentist who can offer you targeted guidance and address any concerns you have. We can even help you find a dentist in your area who is skilled at treating gum disease. 

Treating Gum Disease

If you have periodontitis, you can take comfort in the fact that the disease is treatable. There are both home and in-office options that you should consider. You may wish to tackle the issue on your own first. If so, there are several different home remedies you should consider. For example, you could start drinking green tea if you don't already. The drink is high in antioxidants that have been proven to help reduce inflammation in the body. It's also tasty and easy to find in stores and online. This makes it easy to add green tea to your diet. 

You can use warm salt water and hydrogen peroxide to kill bacteria and soothe your sore mouth tissue. Or you can brush your teeth with baking soda that's been diluted in water. Doing this can neutralize the acids that irritate gum tissue. Options like these enable you to take matters into your own hands and address your periodontitis at home. 

There are also in-office treatment plans that you should consider. For example, scaling and root planing are excellent ways to address the root causes of gum disease. This deep-cleaning treatment is a non-surgical procedure. Your dentist will scrape plaque and tartar away from above and below your gum line (scaling). Then, they'll smooth the rough spots on the roots of your teeth (planing). The purpose of this treatment is to make your teeth a clean surface so that your gums can reattach to them. 

Severe Gum Disease and Periodontitis Blog:

Severe Gum Disease is called periodontitis. Periodontal disease is characterized by a large level of dental bone loss and possibly loose teeth. Periodontal disease if left untreated, can result in the loss of one or more teeth. Periodontists are dentist specialists in the treatment of gum disease.  Your general dentist can help you treat your gum disease as well.

How can I prevent gum disease? 

If you don't have gum disease, then you'll want to take proactive steps that keep it away. There are several key actions you can take today to keep your gums healthy. For example, you can quit smoking, reduce your stress, and maintain a well-balanced diet that's high in essential nutrients. You should also avoid clenching and grinding your teeth, as this can also lead to outcomes that may cause gum disease. 

Additionally, you should consider making that dentist appointment that you've been avoiding. Regular professional cleanings are one of the most effective ways to prevent gum disease. Your dentist will get the opportunity to scrape away plaque and reduce the bacteria in your mouth. This eliminates the root causes of gum disease in your mouth. 

Find Local Dentists Near You at DentalChat.com. You can use DentalChat to get help with finding an experienced local dentist who can clean your teeth. 

Reclaiming your smile

If you want whiter teeth, then addressing your gum disease is an important step in the process. Once you've recovered, you'll be able to start using the myriad of whitening products available on the market today. These products will use teeth bleach to eat away at the brown and yellow stains on your teeth. You can choose from specialized toothpaste, gels, pens, at-home kits, and in-office whitening treatments. These products will eat through old stains and help you turn back the clock to get a whiter smile. 

Do you have a Gum Disease Question? 

You can begin the process of getting a brighter smile today by using DentalChat to speak with a licensed dentist in your area. They can offer you recommendations for treating your gum disease and can refer you to providers who meet your needs. We look forward to helping you address your gum disease and work towards your dream smile.