Gum disease is a very common condition with two stages: gingivitis and periodontitis. When caught early in the gingivitis stage, gum disease can be reversed quickly with better oral hygiene. However, if you don’t treat the disease early on, it can cause serious health issues like infections and tooth loss. How do you know if you have gingivitis? Here are three early warning signs.
- Swelling & Redness
- Bleeding After Brushing or Flossing
- Bad breath
When you don’t care for your oral health well enough, plaque builds up on your teeth. The bacteria in this plaque irritates your gums, causing swelling, redness, and tenderness. You may not feel discomfort, but if you notice your gums are red and swollen, that’s a sign you’re in the early stage of gum disease.
Your gums shouldn’t bleed when you brush and floss. Many people believe that a little bleeding after flossing is “normal,” but that’s only because gum disease is so common. Healthy gums don’t bleed. Keep brushing and flossing. As your oral health improves, the bleeding will stop.
Nobody’s breath smells fresh all the time, but persistent bad breath is a sign of gum disease. Why? The bad bacteria that cause gum disease release gases. The more bacteria build-up you have in your mouth, the more your breath smells.
Treating Gum Disease at Prairie Dental Group
To prevent and treat gum disease, regular cleanings and exams are just as important as brushing and flossing. For more serious cases, we’ll need to perform deep cleanings, which may include topical localized medications like Arestin. This is an antibiotic that our dentists put in your gum pockets. It releases over time and fights the disease. If you’ve noticed any of the three early signs of gum disease, please contact our Eden Prairie office today! We’ll assess the situation and get your oral health back on track.
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