Pasadena Texas Dentist:
Periodontal Disease (Gum Disease)
Brushing your teeth and flossing help keeps your teeth and gum tissue clean. Regular check ups and cleanings at our office are also key in preventing gum disease (periodontal disease).
Plaque is the main culprit of gum disease. Plaque is an accumulation of bacteria. This clump of bacteria causes irritation, inflammation and infection of the gum tissue and bone. Unfortunately, gum disease does not hurt.
Gum Disease Warning Signs:
- Bleeding gums when you brush or floss. Bleeding is NOT normal.
- Red, swollen, tender gum tissue.
- Bad Breath.
- Gums that have pulled away from the teeth. The tooth roots may show. Your teeth look longer.
- Pus around the teeth and gums.
- Mobile teeth.
- Changes in the way your teeth come together when you bite.
- Changes in the fit of partial dentures or bridges.
Identifying Gum Disease
Gingivitis is the swelling or inflammation of the gum tissues that causes gum disease. Gums appear red, inflamed, and bleeding. When brushing or eating, bleeding is more common. Individuals who have modest symptoms may be unaware that they have gum disease. Poor oral hygiene is a key cause of gum disease, as sticky plaque accumulates in the mouth, attracting bacteria. Good oral hygiene practices, such as frequent teeth brushing and flossing after meals and before going to bed, usually help to minimize plaque buildup.
Gingivitis can readily develop once plaque accumulates on the teeth and gums, and if left untreated, it can infect oral structures, leading to illnesses such as periodontal disease and bone loss. Teeth fall out as a result of bone and periodontal ligament degeneration that connects teeth to the jaw bone. A loose tooth is typically the first sign of tooth loss.
Gum Disease Symptoms
Normal, healthy gums are pink and firm, with no swelling or discoloration. Gum disease causes the gum tissue to become enlarged, less firm, painful, and red, with minor to severe bleeding.
Although there may be some discomfort, gum disease is not painful. It may go unnoticed unless detected by a dentist during routine dental exams. Individuals suffering from gum disease may experience oral bleeding, especially after eating hard foods, brushing their teeth, and flossing.
Depending on how far gum disease has progressed, symptoms may vary. Severe gum disease and periodontitis might manifest as the following symptoms:
- Blood a pus coming out of the gums
- Four taste in the mouth
- Bad breath
- Sensitive and loose teeth
- Difficulty eating
- Recedning gums
- Teeth look longer
- Abscesses causing pain and discomfort
Risk of Gum Disease
Because gum disease affects all humans, everyone is at risk of developing it at any point in their lives. People with poor oral health and diet, health issues and smokers are all more likely to develop gum disease.
Neglecting oral hygiene and failing to have regular dental check-ups are significant contributors. Proper dental care reduces the risk of gum disease significantly because patients receive early treatment and information on how to keep the illness at bay.
To guarantee optimal oral health and well-being, Our Pasadena, Texas dental office provides patients with preventative care, education, and gum disease treatments. We offer dental sedation to people who have dental phobias or anxiety so that they can obtain the dental care they need to prevent gum disease from developing.
Casues of Gum Disease
Poor oral hygiene, compromised immunity, health conditions or diseases, medications, oral injury, and/or lifestyle factors such as an unbalanced diet and smoking are common causes of gum disease. Plaque residue, to which bacteria adhere and develop, is the primary cause of gum disease, despite the fact that multiple factors can trigger it.
The foods we consume contribute to the formation of plaque. Plaque-free and hygienic mouths are maintained by removing food debris through oral hygiene. Plaque causes bacterial colonization, which leads to inflammation and infection of the gums. Cleaning the teeth and gums properly inhibits the spread of plaque and pathogens in the mouth.
Therefore, it is essential to maintain regular oral hygiene through daily brushing and flossing, as well as regular dental examinations and professional teeth cleansing. Plaque hardens into tartar, which can only be securely removed by a dentist or dental hygienist by means of teeth cleaning, scaling, and polishing.
To battle gum disease a procedure called Scaling and Root Planning is performed. This is also referred to as a “Deep Cleaning”. The goal of scaling and root planning (SRP) is to remove the pathology that is initiating the inflammation to the gingival (gum) tissue and surrounding jaw bone. Common factors removed by this periodontal treatment include dental plaque, bacteria, toxins, pus and calculus. This non-surgical procedure decontaminates the teeth and gum tissues thus allowing the teeth, gum tissue and bone to a health state.
About:
Dr. Nugent is a family dentist serving Pasadena, Deer Park, La Porte, League City and Friendswood. His office is located at 3421 Burke Rd, Ste A, Pasadena, Texas 77504. Dr. Nugent has been voted BEST PASADENA TEXAS DENTIST multiple times. Call us at 713-941-8261 to schedule your new patient exam.
