As you probably know, gum disease is something you should strive to avoid. You’ve probably heard that, in order to keep your teeth healthy and strong, you should brush and floss regularly. Similarly, you probably know that you should visit a dentist once every six months for a routine cleaning and exam. However, do you know what you should do if you have gum disease? Also, what do you know about the stages of gum disease?
The first stage of gum disease is called gingivitis. Gingivitis is an inflammation in your gums, though the infection isn’t usually too severe. In fact, this stage of gum disease can usually be reversed simply with brushing and flossing. However, if gingivitis isn’t addressed quickly enough, it can progress into periodontal disease. Unfortunately, periodontal disease is harder to reverse. Fortunately, a deep cleaning can usually help with this stage of gum disease.
Unfortunately, if gum disease becomes severe, you may have to cope with advanced periodontal disease—which is frequently known as periodontitis. Sadly, this stage of gum disease leads to a number of complications, such as oozing gums, tooth decay, and other issues. For example, if you have periodontitis, you may need to visit our office more frequently, and you may have difficulty chewing.
In other words, catching gum disease early is the best way to restore the health and strength of your teeth. Please remember to brush twice a day for two minutes at a time and remember to floss at least once a day. Rinsing your mouth with an antibacterial mouthwash can also help.
If you are interested in learning more, please don’t hesitate to contact our office at 704-786-8317. Dr. Sean Ferguson and our team will gladly help you fight against gum disease, regardless of which stage of gum disease you have. We look forward to hearing from you soon.