Why You Need Good Gum Hygiene
Your gums play a crucial role in your oral health—they anchor your teeth, support your smile, and act as a barrier against harmful bacteria. Yet, many people don’t realize how essential it is to keep them healthy until they start experiencing symptoms of gum disease. The good news is, disease is largely preventable with good gum hygiene.
At Highland Advanced Dental Care, we’ll help you keep your gums in great shape. If you show symptoms of disease, we’ll treat it before it can cause serious dental damage. If your disease is in an advanced stage, where gum recession has occurred, we can restore your gums using a pain-free alternative to a traditional gum graft.
If you think your gums need attention, call us today at 248-887-8371. In the meantime, read about the importance of gum health, how to recognize the symptoms of gum disease, and your treatment options.
Why Gum Hygiene Is Crucial
Good gum hygiene isn’t just about preventing bad breath or avoiding that red, swollen look around your teeth. It’s also about protecting your teeth and preventing a cascade of health issues. Gum disease starts when plaque and tartar (hardened plaque) build up on your teeth and gums. This leads to harmful inflammation. If left untreated, this can progress to more severe forms of gum disease. In later stages of disease, you can experience tooth loss, bone damage, and an increased risk of other health issues like heart disease and diabetes.
The earlier you start taking care of your gums, the better. Routine brushing, flossing, and professional dental cleanings can help you maintain healthy gums and reduce your risk of gum disease. You should see us at least once every six months for an exam and cleaning. If you’re prone to gum disease or dental issues such as cavities or chronic dry mouth, we may recommend more frequent cleanings.
How to Recognize Symptoms of Gum Disease
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, can range from mild gingivitis to more severe periodontitis. It can affect not just your oral health, but your overall well-being. Gum disease often develops gradually, and its early symptoms can be subtle. Knowing what to look for can help you catch gum disease in its earliest stages. Early treatment is the best way to avoid serious effects such as gum and tooth damage.
Call us ASAP if you notice:
- Bleeding Gums – If your gums bleed when you brush or floss, it could be an early sign of gingivitis, the mildest form of gum disease. Although bleeding isn’t always a sign of a serious issue, it’s an indication that you need to improve your oral care habits.
- Red or Swollen Gums – Healthy gums are firm and pale pink. If your gums appear red, swollen, or tender, it could be a sign of gum disease.
- Bad Breath – Persistent bad breath (halitosis) can be a sign that bacteria are accumulating in the mouth due to plaque buildup or gum infection.
- Receding Gums – If you notice that your gums are pulling away from your teeth, exposing more of the tooth surface or even your tooth roots, this is a sign of gum recession. This often indicates more advanced gum disease.
- Loose Teeth or Tooth Sensitivity – In severe cases, gum disease can cause the loss of teeth or make them feel loose. Teeth may also become sensitive to hot or cold as the gums recede.
- Pus Between Teeth and Gums – The presence of pus indicates an infection in your gums and should be addressed immediately by a dental professional.
If you notice any of these symptoms, you should see us ASAP for an evaluation.
Treatment Options for Gum Disease
Once gum disease has progressed, treatment becomes necessary to prevent it from worsening. We offer different treatments, depending on the severity of the condition:
- Scaling and Root Planing – For patients with moderate to advanced gum disease, scaling and root planing is often the first line of defense. This deep cleaning procedure goes beyond a regular dental cleaning. During scaling, your dentist or hygienist will remove plaque and tartar from the surface of your teeth and beneath the gumline. Root planing smooths the roots of your teeth, making it harder for bacteria to reattach and helping your gums heal. We can use local anesthesia to keep the procedure comfortable. It’s sometimes done over multiple sessions to ensure thorough cleaning.
- Perio Protect – If gum disease persists, even after a cleaning, your dentist may recommend Perio Protect, a non-invasive treatment that delivers antimicrobial solutions directly to the pockets between your gums and teeth. You’ll wear custom-fitted trays that are filled with a special medicated gel for short periods each day at home. The solution helps reduce bacteria in the pockets and can improve the health of your gums over time.
We’ve Got a Gum Graft Alternative
In more severe cases of gum recession, where traditional gum grafts might be required, we can use the Chao Pinhole Surgical Technique, a less invasive alternative. This technique involves making a small, pinhole-sized incision in the gum tissue and gently repositioning the gums to cover exposed tooth roots.
Unlike a graft, a pinhole procedure is minimally invasive, requires no stitches, and has a quicker recovery time. It addresses cosmetic concerns, improving the appearance of your gums. It also helps improve the health of the gums, especially when recession has exposed tooth roots and increased the risk of sensitivity or decay.
Prevention is always better than treatment, and we want to be your ally in maintaining gum health. Regular check-ups and professional cleanings are essential, even if you brush and floss daily. During your routine visit, your dentist or hygienist we’ll assess your gums for signs of inflammation or infection and recommend treatment as needed.
If you’re diagnosed with gum disease, we will work with you to develop a customized treatment plan based on your specific needs. Whether that includes a professional cleaning, scaling and root planing, Perio Protect, or a more advanced procedure like the Chao technique, your dentist will ensure you receive the best care available to help you restore and maintain healthy gums.
Good gum hygiene is essential for preventing gum disease. Plus, recognizing the early signs can make all the difference in your treatment and recovery. If you’re due for a dental check-up, call 248-887-8371 to schedule an appointment in Highland, MI.