Saving your teeth and protecting your smile with proactive gum disease care

Gum disease is common. But at Sycamore Dental in Fort Worth, Texas, we also know that it is highly preventable, and there are many opportunities to stop this progressive condition from wreaking havoc on your smile and the “rest of you.” And, yes, gum disease is a risk factor for a range of systemic conditions, from cardiovascular disease to dementia. 

Have you noticed “pink in the sink” (bleeding gums)? Contact us! 

Gum disease is a leading cause of tooth loss; however, we can prevent the dire complications when “caught” and addressed earlier in the disease process with appropriate treatment. Our dentist, Dr. Vidya Suri, can even reverse the effects of early-stage gum disease, a condition characterized by inflammation and known as “gingivitis.” This gingival inflammation carries with it symptoms such as: 

• The presence of blood on your toothbrush or floss
• Gums that appear duskier or redder than “usual”
• Swollen or puffy tissues at the gumline

At this stage, there generally isn’t much pain. There may be some tenderness when touching or poking at the gums. In fact, the symptoms may be so subtle for some patients that they are easy to ignore. Don’t. By the time you feel much pain or notice other concerning changes – such as receding gums or shifts in the position of your teeth – the disease may have progressed to periodontitis. The later stage of the disease is characterized by infection and the breakdown of the supportive tissue attachments and bone. Once these tissues are lost, they are gone for good unless steps are taken to regenerate or rebuild the lost gums and hard tissue that was lost.

Proactive care 

One of the best things you can do for your oral and overall health is to maintain regular visits to Sycamore Dental, as recommended by Dr. Suri. During these visits, she can detect concerning changes even when you think your teeth and gums are fine because they feel OK. The truth is, not only is early-stage oral disease often subtle in its symptoms, but it can be silent or asymptomatic. It is only after irreversible damage has been done that you may notice changes that result from later-stage disease and its complications and effects.

Generally, treating earlier-stage gingival inflammation is less invasive, costly, and time-consuming. It is also conservative and preserves maximal soft and hard tissues. Depending on the stage or extent of the damage to your gums, Dr. Suri may recommend changes to your oral hygiene routine at home. She can also prescribe antibacterial mouth rinses. Medications to fight bacterial infections may be taken by mouth or orally or applied topically as a gel. Medications may even be delivered via special trays. When placed in your mouth as directed, these trays or appliances deliver bacteria-fighting medicine to the tissues that need it most. 

Additional non-surgical interventions include more frequent professional cleanings at our office in Fort Worth, TX (possibly four times per year) and the “deep cleaning” alternative to the standard prophylaxis/ teeth cleaning: scaling and root planing. 

Are you overdue for your dental check-up? Have you noticed changes to your gumline, such as a “toothier”-looking smile? Do not delay in calling us at (817) 438-1828. We can save your teeth and smile by preserving the health of its supportive gums!