Most people know to keep their teeth healthy with regular dental cleanings and proper at-home care, but did you know that it’s just as important to make sure your gums stay healthy too? Your gums are the foundation of your teeth; they hold them in place, support the roots, and even protect the underlying bone. Just like a house, a tooth is only as strong as its foundation! When you’re taking care of your gums, you’re setting the stage for complete oral care.
Contact us for a periodontal consultation.
When you don’t look after your gums, there’s a chance of developing gum disease, which can occur first as gingivitis and later as periodontitis. Overall, gum disease occurs when there is a build-up of plaque and its bacteria begins infecting your gums, teeth, and even the bone and tissue around your teeth. When bacteria causes gum inflammation, it can lead to severe issues in the surrounding bone. If you feel any tenderness or are experiencing gum pain; have swollen or inflamed gums; notice any bleeding while brushing or flossing; see that your gums are receding; or constantly have bad breath, you should visit our practice and speak with our dental team so we can assess whether or not you are suffering from gum disease, and if so, how to best treat it.
Many of you are probably familiar with the earliest stage of gum disease known as gingivitis. This type is characterized by mild symptoms ranging from red, swollen gums to gums that bleed every time you floss. With non-invasive treatments and proper home care, this early form of the disease is completely reversible, as the bone and tissue have not been affected yet. Remember to maintain good oral hygiene habits with regular brushing and flossing and to come in for your routine check-ups so that gingivitis can be stopped in its tracks.
If left untreated, however, gingivitis will eventually progress to periodontitis, a more serious form of gum disease in which the bone holding your teeth in place has become damaged. Periodontitis has been linked to an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, uncontrolled diabetes, and birth complications, so it’s important to keep up with your regular cleanings and dental visits to prevent any more serious harm.
Before, gum disease used to require surgery more often than not. While sometimes that’s still the best option, our dentists can treat many cases with less invasive techniques, such as local antibiotics, deep cleanings and medicated rinses. Our practice also provides laser-assisted infection control, which is a gentle, more precise, non-surgical treatment to remove infection. With that type of procedure, no scalpels or sutures are needed, and many patients feel fully recovered in less than a day! We are also happy to provide long-term maintenance plans so that you can keep your gums healthy for years to come.
Don’t let yourself and your gums suffer in pain. Let Las Cruces Dental Solutions help you maintain complete oral healthcare and prevent periodontal disease!
We look forward to meeting you. Please Call (575) 527-4746 or request an appointment online to set up your first visit. We’ll be in touch soon.