Can a dentist in havant help cure gum disease?
Gum disease, it’s actually far more common than you probably realise, it’s been reported that over half of adults over thirty have it but yet it still has negative shameful connotations. If you are someone who thinks they could have gum disease this article is for you. We’re going to talk you through the signs and symptoms, and how to help cure and prevent it.
How do i know if i’ve got gum disease?
Firstly, let’s clear a really important issue up – there are varying types of gum problems and many people have early inflammation of the gums which is called gingivitis – this is not something to seriously worry about but of course you should work to stop it before it gets any worse. The next stage is when we move into periodontal, this in turn has three stages: slight, moderate and advanced. If you visit our Dentist in Havant they will be able to tell you which stage you are at.
The early stages of gum disease are usually that your gums are bleeding when you brush your teeth, use an interdental brush or floss. Some people even notice bleeding when they eat harder, crunchier foods like apples or crusty bread. Another obvious symptom is that your gums can appear pinker, red or swollen and in some cases they could be sore. Some people can experience a bad taste in their mouth or a bad breath. Further symptoms when things have become more complex include tooth loss, ulcers or red areas in your mouth or that there is a lump in your mouth or on your lip. Again if you visit our Dentist in Havant they will be able to assess how far into gum disease you are.
How do I get treatment for gum disease?
When you visit the dentist you can either come for a regular check up or come because you are specially wanting to check your gums. Let the receptionist know at the practice of any concerns before your appointment.
When you come to the appointment our Dentist in Havant will assess your gums and teeth and could possibly want to take some x-ray images of your jaw and teeth to check what’s going on below the surface. If our dentist is particularly concerned they could send you for some more specialist tests but this is unlikely.
If you are only in the earlier stage of gum disease (gingivitis) then our dentist will likely just advise you to get a deep clean by our hygienist – this will likely sort out most of the issue. It is advised to stop smoking if you do and they may walk you through the best way to keep your teeth clean.
If your gum disease is more serious you may need to have a more thorough under the gum clean done, you could need antibiotics or in some cases have teeth remover or gum surgery.
How do I keep gum disease at bay?
Whatever stage of gum disease you’ve had, once you’ve had treatment done, you need to make sure you keep it away. The most important thing when it comes to gum disease is keeping on top of a really good oral health routine. That means brushing a minimum of twice a day. Including flossing and the use of interdental brushes daily and keeping an eye on your diet.