Gum disease, or periodontitis, is a fairly common condition of the gums and mouth. If you believe you’re experiencing the symptoms of gum disease, read on below with Marsfield Dental Care to learn more about this condition and the treatments available.
Patients with gum disease often present with inflammation and swelling of the gums and deeper periodontal structures. What might come as a surprise to some is that these symptoms are actually a natural response of the immune system in seeking to fight off an infection.
The common symptoms of gum disease are actually the body’s natural response to certain bacteria on the teeth and gums, a type of infection. Although, while redness and swelling are natural processes in the body in fighting off an infection, they are a sign that something is wrong.
As we’ve touched on, the redness and swelling that is typical of those presenting with gum disease are normal healthy reactions of the immune system in the short term. But the ongoing presence of these symptoms tells us that there is a cause for these symptoms that is not being addressed.
The most common causes of gum disease can all be traced back to daily oral hygiene habits. Genetic influences and past dental trauma can certainly play a role, but daily habits like smoking, eating sugary foods and failing to brush and floss regularly are far and away the most common contributors to the onset of gum disease.
When caught in the early stages, gum disease is very treatable. In particularly mild cases, gum disease can resolve simply with regular and careful brushing and flossing. However, the more advanced stages of gum disease bring with them complications that will require a more involved effort at resolution.
Some of the common treatments for advanced gum disease involve both carefully eliminating the source of the infection (accumulated bacteria on the teeth) and treating the infection itself with the assistance of antibiotics. Broad spectrum antibiotics such as doxycycline, tetracycline and minocycline are typical candidates for this mode of treatment.
To assist in the elimination of the bacteria in the mouth that causes gum disease, patients might be instructed to make use of toothpastes with fluoride or another antibiotic triclosan. These compounds can help reduce the incidence of plaque build-up and end the experience of gum disease by eliminating the root cause.
Aside from perhaps immediate dental trauma, chronic conditions like abscess that results from gum disease are some of the more common reasons for an emergency visit to the dentist. When looking to prevent the occurrence or reoccurrence of gum disease, regular check-ups and a commitment to regular brushing and flossing will work wonders.
At Marsfield Dental Care, we recommend getting regular check-ups with your dentist at least once every six months. This will give you the chance you need to head off any emerging issues and hear from a dental professional just how you might better your approach to your oral health.
If you’ve been experiencing any of the tell-tale symptoms of gum disease, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at Marsfield Dental Care.
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