Treating gum disease early on through periodontal maintenance is the key to preventing more serious health problems in the future. The reversible part of gum disease is called gingivitis. Catching gingivitis early treats the signs and stops the progression before the condition affects the bones that border your teeth. In fact, engaging in gum disease early treatment in New Braunfels, TX, can be one of the wisest steps you can take this year to improve your overall health.
Of course, you need to know what to look for in terms of indicators of gum disease development. Below are a few of the most common signs of gingivitis.
Reversible Signs And Symptoms Of Gingivitis
Here are some common signs that gingivitis is already present in your mouth. You may develop one or more of these signs. Since every patient is unique, your signs may be mild to severe.
- Really swollen gums that appear red. Remember that healthy gums have a pink hue.
- Gums that bleed while you brush or floss. Slight bleeding during flossing is not unusual, but significant bleeding throughout your mouth is something to discuss with a dentist.
- A bad taste in your mouth or really bad breath that does not go away after brushing your teeth, rinsing your mouth, or chewing gum.
- A lot of tartar on your teeth. If you can feel and see the tartar, you should make an appointment with a dentist to discuss gum disease early treatment.
- A growing sensitivity to hot or cold substances. This sign can indicate that your gums are beginning to recede due to the infection linked to gingivitis.
As a side note, smoking increases your chance of developing gum infections like gingivitis. Plus, smoking regularly decreases your body’s ability to heal efficiently. Therefore, if you smoke and you are showing signs of gingivitis, you may want to quit.
How You Can Reverse Gingivitis
It can be worrisome to realize that you probably have gingivitis. But you can take some steps to mitigate future problems.
Practicing great oral hygiene can and will reverse the gum disease and stop it from coming back. Brushing your teeth thoroughly twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and flossing at least once a day are two keys to removing the hard, sticky plaque off of your teeth.
Pro Early Gingivitis Treatment Tip:
If you have an old toothbrush, it is a good idea to replace it. When the bristles start to get old and wear down after a month or two, they cannot clean as thoroughly.
How We Can Reverse Gingivitis and Gum Disease With Early Treatment in New Braunfels, TX
At Excellent Dental Specialists, we work with patients of all ages who have the beginnings of gum disease. Below are some of the methods we use to diagnose and treat gingivitis, as well as prevent gingivitis from becoming periodontitis.
Twice-Yearly Dental Appointments:
Getting routine checkups is always great for your teeth and gums. At every visit, we check patients’ teeth for decay as well as for early signs of gum disease.
Removal of Tartar and Plaque:
Do you have tartar and plaque at the base of your teeth that your brushing and flossing cannot remove? We have the tools and skills to successfully remove unwanted tartar and plaque in your mouth.
Diagnostics:
The digital radiographs and other advanced scans we take tell us a lot about what is happening in your mouth. They help us spot problems before they become bigger, including indicators of gum disease in its earliest stages.
What Happens If Your Gingivitis Becomes Periodontitis?
Sometimes, your gingivitis progresses quickly, or you might not pay attention to it until it has become periodontitis. At that point, we will intervene appropriately. Periodontitis cannot be cured but it can be treated and managed.
Some of the ways we help our patients stop periodontitis from getting more severe include:
Scaling and Root Planing:
This treatment removes bacteria and tartar deep below the gum line. It also prevents bacteria from growing and spreading. Thanks to our laser tools and comfortable protocols, scaling and root planing is an effective, minimally invasive procedure.
Soft Tissue Grafting:
As periodontitis gets worse, it causes your gums to pull farther away from the teeth. This can expose your teeth roots and bone. If you experience this problem, soft tissue grafting can repair the damaged areas.
Gum Recession Treatment:
Gum recession tends to go hand-in-hand with gum disease. By correcting your receding gums using the most advanced techniques, we can give you back a protective, natural smile.
Treat Your Gingivitis Early!
At the end of the day, preventing periodontitis through periodontal maintenance makes sense. We urge you to contact us today if you see any signs of gingivitis in your mouth. Our dentists, Dr. Andrew J. Weber, Lilia Ferral, Antonella Schroeder and Claudia Curiel can determine how bad your condition is and help you plan a treatment course that stops it from getting worse.
Please don’t wait, visit our offices to discuss gum disease early treatment in New Braunfels, TX!
