Regular Hygiene Appointments Can Help Detect This Common Disease
We recommend that our patients visit our office at least twice a year for a routine hygiene examination and cleaning. During these appointments, we not only thoroughly clean and polish the teeth, but we also inspect all parts of the mouth for other diseases. One disease that we check for is gum disease, which affects more than half of American adults. Gum disease is a serious infection in the gums that is caused by bacterial growth along the gumline and around the base of the tooth.
Warning Signs of Gum Disease
One of the trickiest things about gum disease is the lack of major warning signs alerting patients there is a problem; therefore, it is known as a silent disease. This is one of the reasons that routine visits to our office are so important. Other oral issues such as tooth decay have warning signs such as extreme discomfort to alert patients they need to visit the dentist. Although there are no major warning signs, there are minor warning signs that you can look for between appointments in our office:
- Gums that bleed after brushing or flossing
- Tender or inflamed gums
- Bright red gums
- Unexplained and persistent bad breath
- Receding gum line
Is Treatment Available For Gum Disease?
Gum disease comes in two forms. The first form is more minor, called gingivitis. The second is more involved and is the more severe form, called periodontitis. Most patients who experience gum disease are dealing with gingivitis. The treatment for gingivitis involves a deep cleaning procedure. It can be uncomfortable, so we offer numbing gel to help during the process known as scaling. Periodontitis occurs when gingivitis is left untreated for an extended period. This severe form of gum disease can cause teeth to become loose and can eventually lead to tooth loss.
If you are located in the Phoenix, AZ area and are noticing any of the minor warning signs or you have not visited our office within the past six months, we recommend calling to schedule an appointment today. We look forward to working with you to improve your oral health!
