Dentist: When to See Your Provider for Gum Disease
Up to 80 percent of people have gum disease, but few see their dentist to get the treatment they need. Gum disease is a type of medical condition in which bacteria forms and builds right at the base of the tooth and on the gums. Over time, it causes pain and discomfort, bleeding and can even lead to the loss of teeth if you do not seek treatment soon enough. The good news is that there are methods to improve your dental health.
When to See Your Dentist
If you have any type of blood in your mouth after brushing your teeth,
chances are good you have this condition. You can get help to stop the condition from worsening and even reverse the damage you currently have. Here are some things to keep in mind.
• At its initial stage, you may not notice any build up of bacteria. However, be knowledgeable about what is happening in your mouth. If you have bad breath, the odor you smell is the gas bacteria release. The worse the bad breath is, the more bacteria is present.
• Even a slight, pink in the sink after brushing your teeth can be the start of gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease. At this point, you do need to seek out the aid of your dental care provider.
• A deep cleaning can help to restore the health of your gums by removing built up plaque and debris in the mouth. It is often necessary in people with this condition. However, it is up to you to maintain your dental health at home through an effective oral care regimen. That should include brushing twice a day, flossing your teeth and using a non-alcohol based mouth rinse.
• Fighting bacteria is the job of your immune system, too. However, an overpowered immune system may struggle to do this. For this reason, focus on improving your diet. A diet rich in antioxidant-heavy foods, whole grains and low fat, with reduced sodium and sugar intake will boost your immune system so it can fight off bacteria.
• Realize that tooth-whitening products do nothing to stop the bacteria build up. You need a dentist to do this. See your dentist at least one time every six months, more if it is necessary. Regular cleaning of your teeth is the best way to remove bacteria that causes this condition to form.
In many cases of gingivitis or periodontal disease, the more severe form of this condition, a dentist can help you to stop the progression of the condition and to improve your dental health.
In some cases, you will see improvements right away when seeking out a dental provider's care. However, you will need to be consistent to see continued improvement and the reversal of teh signs and symptoms of this oral health condition. You smile will be brighter and you will feel better overall, too. That can make this change in oral hygiene habits and visiting your dentist more often worthwhile.
