Do you avoid flossing now because you hate how your gums swell and begin to bleed?
Well, if you’re one of those patients who doesn’t floss regularly, you could be contributing to the problem by allowing gum disease to set in. If you experience discomfort during your dental routine, bleeding, or swelling, you should speak to your dentist in Reno right away. The key to preventing severe oral health concerns down the road is addressing unhealthy gums in their early stages before a small concern develops into advanced gum disease, or periodontal disease.
Understanding the Signs of Gum Disease
If you related to the scenario above, you may have the beginning signs of gum disease (gingivitis). Be sure to schedule an appointment for yourself if you answer “yes” to any of these questions:
- Do your gums swell after you complete your oral hygiene routine?
- Do your gums feel tender while you brush and floss?
- Are there traces of blood when you spit out your toothpaste?
- Have you noticed puss along your gum line or between your teeth?
- Do your teeth feel loose in some places throughout your mouth?
- Are your gums starting to recede and show the roots of your teeth?
- Do your teeth feel sensitive to hot or cold substances?
- Do you see pockets or bulges along your gum line?
- Is it difficult to keep your breath fresh throughout the day?
The Causes of Gum Disease
There are a few different factors that can affect your gum health—not just the lack of good dental care at home. If you have the signs of gum disease, consider your habits and lifestyle choices. These things could be declining your oral health:
- Smoking makes it extremely difficult for your body to repair itself because the chemicals found in tobacco that decline your oral health.
- Hormonal changes during pregnancy, menopause, puberty, and menstruation can leave your gums feeling very sensitive and susceptible to dental disease.
- Illnesses like cancer or diabetes can affect the health of your smile by compromising your immune system.
- Poor oral health habits like not flossing and brushing daily will leave your oral health compromised.
- Genetics could also be a contributing factor in the development of gum disease.
Your Dentist Can Help Treat Gum Disease
If a dentist notices that you have beginning signs of gum disease, they will recommend that you receive periodontal therapy to help strengthen your gum health.
For a mild case of gingivitis (beginning of gum disease), your dentist may just recommend that you come in for more deep cleaning. If that’s not helping your oral health recover, your dentist can provide you an in-depth, non-surgical cleaning known as scaling and root planing that can help you revitalize your gums.
The best thing you can do when you notice bleeding gums is to reach out to your local Reno dentist for effective treatment.
About Our Office
Here at Sage Dental Care, we know that maintaining great oral health doesn’t just mean your teeth. You need your gums to be taken care of, too. If you have declining gum health, you should get the help you need to help your smile last! Feel free to call your dentist to schedule your next appointment today.