What is Gum Disease?

Have you noticed that your gums are redder than usual? Are you noticing a lot of bleeding when brushing or flossing? Have you had pain around your teeth and jaw recently? If any of these symptoms match your current situation, then it is time to head to the dentist, as you might be suffering from something called ‘gum disease.’ It is likely that you have heard the term before. This is something warned against in every dentist office across the country, but it is important to know more than just the phrase. Defending against this common disease requires understanding.

Gum disease is an infection of the gums and can also reach further until it affects the bones of the jaw and teeth as well. Allowed to go untreated, it can cause tooth loss. Furthermore, there is fear that this infection let alone can cause serious infections in other areas of the body. That being said, there are easy, non-surgical ways to treat the onset of gum disease, from a simple, professional cleaning to localized antibiotics. Also, scaling, which is a very deep-cleaning, can be used to scrape away stubborn plaque, even from under the gum line. This will typically be performed while the patient is under anesthesia. Antibiotics may be prescribed and can be applied directly to the infected areas. This will help reduce the swelling and soreness associated with the disease, especially if it has reached later stages. After a diagnosis, it is important to continue with follow up care, up to four times per year.

To learn more, keep reading at http://tomclarkdds.com/dentists/dentalquestions.php#gumdisease