How to Avoid Gum Disease
If you suspect you have gum disease, don’t waste any time scheduling an appointment with our dentist in Columbus, OH. Dr. Gibson can help protect your smile, even if you’ve already been diagnosed with gum disease.
Gum disease can strike the best of us. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 47.2% of Americans age 30 and older have periodontitis.
While gum disease can be reversed in its early stages, the same can’t be said once it progresses into periodontitis. Contact our dentist today if you have any additional questions or concerns.
Symptoms of gum disease include:
- Sore gums
- Bleeding gums
- Receding gums
- Pain when chewing
- Tooth loss
What are the Main Causes of Gum Disease?
Gum disease is caused by untreated plaque buildup on the surface of your teeth and gums. When the bacteria in plaque consumes sugar and starch left inside your mouth, it produces acid that erodes tooth enamel. You have a higher risk of gum disease if you neglect your oral health by not brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once daily.
You may also have a higher risk of gum disease if you don’t see our dentist every 6 months for a routine teeth cleaning and oral examination. During your dentist appointment, we’re able to spot the early signs of gum disease so you have a better chance of being able to protect your oral health.
There are three factors that affect your prognosis for gum disease: (1) what you do at home, (2) what our dentist does for you, and (3) your genetics. Working with our dentist can help you control at least two of these three factors.
When you first become our patient, we have you fill out a form regarding your medical history so we can better serve your oral health needs. This is just one of the many ways we look out for our patients.
Can Gum Disease be Reversed?
Early gum disease (also called gingivitis) can be reversed by adopting good oral hygiene habits and seeing our dentist every 6 months for a teeth cleaning and examination. During your appointment, we’ll be able to remove plaque and tartar and monitor your oral health. However, it’s important that you brush your teeth twice a day and floss once daily to keep plaque at bay.
Advanced gum disease (also called ) cannot be reversed. However, our dentist is able to mitigate the damaging effects of periodontitis through scaling and root planing. Periodontal treatment can help you avoid some of the more serious side effects, such as receding gums and tooth loss.
What is Scaling and Root Planing?
People with periodontitis tend to have deep gum pockets around teeth that get filled with plaque. During periodontal treatment, our dentist will be able to deep clean these pockets and smooth out your tooth roots. Not only does scaling and root planing removes plaque, but it also encourages receding gums to reattach to the teeth.
Schedule Your Appointment With Gibson Dental
Dr. Adam Gibson offers to help patients mitigate the damaging effects of gum disease. To request an appointment with our , call Gibson Dental at (614) 878-9562.