Gum disease can be hiding within your mouth for years. Many Americans are unaware that they have gum disease. Periodontal diseases are infections that are found in the tissue of the gums. If left unchecked, they can lead to a host of concerns in the mouth and even in other parts of the body. Regularly scheduled checkups with your Denver Highlands dentist, Dr. O’Grady, can ensure that the signs and symptoms of periodontal disease are recognized in their early stages. This can go a long way towards ensuring that you get the right treatment for the type of gum disease that you may have.
As your go-to Denver dental care professionals, we are committed to ensuring that you understand the oral health dangers that you may be facing. There are a few types of gum disease, each with their own areas of concern and track for treatment.
All gum disease starts with an overgrowth of bacterial plaque that isn’t brushed away correctly. This sticky film is constantly forming around our teeth as a result of the naturally-occurring bacteria in our mouths. When we eat, the bacteria feed upon the debris of the food left in our mouth. This is how plaque is formed. When the bacterial plaque accumulates around teeth, it can advance to below the gum line. It then hardens into tartar or dental calculus.
In a healthy mouth, the gum and bone are snug around each tooth. However, when gum disease is present, the bone and gum tissues are damaged and inflamed. This leads to the formation of pockets around the teeth, which can deepen and accommodate the infection.
At OG Dental Group, we will be able to spot your gum disease during an examination. The type of gum disease that you have will be diagnosed. You could have gingivitis or periodontitis.
Gingivitis is the mildest form of periodontal disease. It typically represents the very first stages of gum disease. Those who have gingivitis typically have symptoms that include tender and swollen gums that are prone to bleeding during brushing and flossing. When you’re still in the gingivitis phase, you may not yet have the loss of gum attachment of bone loss. This early stage of gum disease can easily be reversed with professional dental cleanings and improvements in your daily oral hygiene routine. Talk to a dentist near me for more information on preventative dentistry.
Periodontitis is an advanced and serious form of gum disease. It can lead to irreversible damage to your gum and teeth. This type of gum disease is characterized by gum detachment and the loss of bone. In the most advanced cases, there can be tooth loss. There are three sub-types of periodontitis.
If your gums are bleeding when you’re brushing and flossing, you should take this as your cue to schedule a checkup at OG Dental. We will examine your teeth and gums, and work on an appropriate treatment plan to ensure that your whole mouth stays as healthy as can be. If you have a busy schedule, we have same-day appointments.
At O’Grady Dental Care, we understand the needs of our patients can vary. For patients who feel anxiety about even a checkup, we offer a number of options for sedation dentistry. Contact us to schedule your checkup.
