Gum Disease and Receding Gums: What to Know

Gum Disease and Receding Gums: What to Know

If you have never been told that you have gum disease, you are in luck. It is not something that you want to have to deal with. Gum disease is often considered to be silent at first and is quite invisible when it first sets in. Many patients never even know that have it until they visit their dentist. Once periodontal disease sets in, you will notice the symptoms immediately and irreparable damage is being done.

Gum disease is also referred to as periodontal disease and there are several stages of the disease. This disease is responsible for almost all tooth loss in adults. Scary, right? As we just mentioned, there are several stages of the disease and it starts with the initial infection and continues to expand to include damage to the bones and tissues around the teeth.

The first stages of gum disease are usually detected when you have a checkup performed at our Reno office. Gum disease in its earliest stages is reparable and can be treated; however, if it is left untreated, the signs will start to be noticeable and you may experience tooth loss, pain, and other issues.

Some startling facts that Dr. Song wants you to know is the more than half of all adults have some stage of gum disease and more than three-quarters of adults over 35 have gum disease as well.

Below, Dr. Song will talk about the signs of periodontal disease, treatment, and why your gums may be receding. If you have any questions or you would like to schedule an appointment with us, call our Reno office today.

What is the Cause of Periodontal Disease?

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One of the major causes of periodontal disease is plaque that is left on your teeth. The plaque and bacteria in your mouth work together to create toxins that then attach your gums and inflame them. This process is responsible for destroying your gum tissue and it can cause the gums to separate from the teeth too. If you fail to seek treatment for this condition, the bones can be infected.

When plaque is not removed from your teeth, it hardens and forms tartar. The tartar can extend below the gum line and irritate your gums even more and this leads to more serious issues. Only your dentist can remove the tartar from your teeth at this point.

There are several reasons why you may have periodontal disease and many factors that can influence how severe it is. Let’s check them out:

• Badly aligned teeth
• Food that becomes impacted between your teeth
• Diseases such as diabetes and AIDS
• Poorly fitting bridges
• Poor oral hygiene
• Certain medications
• Chewing tobacco or smoking products
• Poor nutrition and diet
• Clenching or grinding your teeth
• Defective fillings
• Pregnancy and oral contraceptives

Symptoms of Periodontal Disease

While gum disease is silent in the beginning, the symptoms will continue to progress and become much more obvious to you. Some of the most common symptoms include:

• Pus in between your teeth and gums
• Tooth loss
• Swollen, inflamed, or red gums
• Gums that bleed easily when you brush or floss
• Teeth that have shifted in place or are loose
• Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
• Teeth that have receding gums on them
• Changes in the way your teeth fit when you bite down or improperly fitting dentures

How is the Disease Treated?

Dr. Song wants you to contact our Reno office if you think that you have periodontal disease. Gum disease can be treated but it must be caught early on. The longer you wait, the worse the symptoms become.

Gum disease is treated with a deep cleaning of your teeth which is known as root scaling and planing. The procedure is very in depth and involves multiple appointments in our office.

When periodontal disease has progressed to a point where there are deep pockets, you will need medication for the disease.

Receding Gums: What to Know

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If you notice that your gums are receding, you may become alarmed. Often, people consider it to be a sign of aging and aggressive toothbrushing can result in the gum recession. Since three out of four adults do have gum disease, it is no surprise gum recession is not noticed until the later stages.

The earliest stages of the disease will often result in gums that are red and swollen. This is the time when the disease can be reversed, and symptoms can be treated. If the disease is not treated at this point, the disease will continue to progress. When the symptoms worsen, teeth will often become loose or fall out. Periodontitis is why more than 70% of adults over 40 experience tooth loss.

Dr. Song knows that this all sounds scary to you and he is here to help your gums and teeth be as healthy as possible. Receding gums are often caused by gum disease, but they can also be caused by other factors too.

If you are worried about your receding gums or you think you may have periodontal disease, do reach out to us. Often, when a tooth root is exposed due to receding gums, a filling or graft is needed to reduce sensitivity and further recession of the gums.

Schedule an Appointment with Dr. Song

Whether you are in good oral health or you have receding gums, it is time for you to schedule an appointment with us here at Access Dental Care. Dr. Song is ready to speak with you about your oral health and can provide you with a complete gum disease evaluation. If you do have gum disease, do not be afraid as we will treat it and prevent further progression of the disease.

Don’t let the disease advance to stages where the damage cannot be repaired. Call Access Dental Care in Reno, NV today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Song.