Caring for your gums is just as important as caring for your teeth. Did you know that approximately half of American adults suffer from gum disease? When you visit our office for routine hygiene examinations, we do more than just thoroughly clean your teeth and look for signs of decay. We also check your gums for gum disease or an indication that you could potentially suffer from this condition in the future. Luckily, it is possible to prevent gum disease. Read on to learn about the importance of caring for your gums.
Importance of Periodontal Care
Everyone knows the importance of caring for their teeth by brushing and flossing thoroughly and regularly. But are you aware of just how important it is to care for your gums? Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, occurs when the gums become irritated and infected as plaque-causing bacteria accumulate along the gumline.
Periodontal disease occurs in two stages. The first stage, known as gingivitis, is mild, and typically the gums may appear swollen, red, puffy, and tender. The more severe form of periodontal disease is called periodontitis.
Gum disease is treatable, and we recommend patients who are diagnosed receive treatment as soon as possible. Unfortunately, gum disease will continue to progress until treatment is received. Once gum disease progresses too far, tooth extraction is the only solution. We have a number of treatment options that we will recommend based on your needs.
Routine Dental Care is Necessary
It is extremely important that you and your loved ones visit our office as recommended for a routine oral hygiene examination. During these visits, we look for signs of gum disease as well as other harmful conditions that can affect your oral health. Patients who have previously been diagnosed with gum disease will require more frequent visits.
If you or a loved one is in need of a hygiene examination or needs to schedule a recommended treatment, be sure to contact our office, which is located in North Huntingdon, PA, to schedule an appointment. Our team is more than happy to help, and we look forward to seeing you at your next appointment!
