Why Regular Hygiene Appointments Are So Important
When was the last time that you had a hygiene examination in our office? If it has been longer than 6 months, we encourage you to schedule an appointment today. You might think that a hygiene visit is so we can clean your teeth and check for tooth decay, and you are right. However, we do more than that. We also check for a disease that affects more than half of American adults. In fact, there is a good chance that it might be affecting you. Continue reading to learn about this popular disease and to see if you are experiencing any symptoms.
What is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is a serious gum infection that affects the tissues that surround and support the teeth. It causes bacterial growth along the gumline and around the base of the tooth. There are two forms of gum disease, one more serious than the other. Gingivitis is the more common and milder form of gum disease, and periodontitis is the more severe form that can cause damage to the jawbone and lead to tooth loss.
Do I Have Gum Disease?
Gum disease is known as a silent disease because it often goes undetected. This disease does not cause the typical discomfort as seen with other dental conditions such as tooth decay. There are minor warning signs that you can monitor at home:
- Gums that bleed after brushing or flossing
- Tender or inflamed gums
- Bright red gums
- Unexplained and continuous bad breath
- Receding gum lines
Is Treatment Available for Gum Disease?
With regular and routine hygiene examinations, we monitor and check for warning signs that gum disease might be developing. Even with proper oral hygiene and regular dental exams, there are times that gum disease might be unavoidable due to genetics, medication, and certain health conditions. With the development of more severe cases of gum disease, we attempt to use effective and non-surgical treatment plans such as scaling and planing.
If you are located in the Wayne, NJ area and are concerned about the state of your gums or are in need of a routine dental examination, please contact our office to schedule an appointment.
