The gums are the anchoring tissue of the teeth. Just as roots hold trees firmly in the ground, gums lock teeth in the jaw. Keeping them healthy is one way to ensure oral health, which can affect overall health; taking care of the gums is therefore just as important as dental hygiene. This article explains how to identify gum problems through symptoms and whether it is appropriate to consult a dentist or an oral surgeon.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Recognizing the Signs
Step 1. Know the causes of periodontal disease
Initially, the problem manifests itself with the deposition of plaque (a slimy substance) around the teeth; this becomes the means that allows the bacteria to grow and form colonies. In turn, the bacteria not only damage the tooth enamel, but also affect the gums.
- Plaque is a transparent layer and is therefore often not visible.
- By regularly flossing you can remove this film from the area below the gum line.
- When the plaque solidifies it is called "tartar", which can only be removed through professional cleaning.
Step 2. Learn about the different types of gum disease
These diseases not only affect the gums, but can also cause tooth decay or loose teeth, which in this case must be extracted. Gingivitis is the early stage of periodontal disease, while periodontitis is the most serious problem, which also affects the jaw bones.
- Gingivitis can only be perfectly diagnosed by an expert, as the symptoms can be minimal.
- Periodontitis requires prompt medical intervention because, if not treated in time, it can lead to tooth loss.
Step 3. Make a note of whether your gums bleed when you brush or floss
This is the first sign of an oral problem and should not be ignored. Lack of pain during bleeding can lead many people to delay treatment, with the risk of suffering from more serious problems.
Step 4. Examine your gums regularly for abnormalities
If they are swollen, spongy, red, or purplish in color, they are irritated and could indicate some disorder.
- Healthy gums are pale pink in color, not dark red or purplish in color.
- When they protrude or swell around the teeth they can indicate some problem.
- Teeth that show more exposed root or appear "longer" may be the result of gum recession, a sign of periodontal disease.
Step 5. Take note of the pain in each individual tooth, gum or jaw when you eat
In the initial phase, pain is less common; However, as the gum retracts, you may feel more sensitive to changes in temperatures, because the roots of the teeth are more exposed.
- If chewing seems to be abnormal, your teeth may no longer fit together in the same way, thus indicating a gum problem.
- Pay attention if new gaps form between the teeth that not only affect chewing, but can also indicate that a tooth has loosened.
Step 6. Assess your breath
Bad breath (halitosis) and a constant bad taste in the mouth can indicate periodontal disease. If you are confident enough, ask a friend or family member to smell your breath. otherwise, use common sense.
Part 2 of 3: Getting a Diagnosis
Step 1. Make a dentist appointment
Only a dental health professional is able to make a definitive diagnosis of gingivitis or periodontitis; therefore, the sooner you go to your doctor, the more likely you are to treat the disease successfully.
Step 2. Prepare for the visit
The dentist is an oral expert, so he will ask you several questions about your hygiene habits and lifestyle. Bring a list of any doubts and fears you have and notes about when you first noticed the problem and when you started to feel pain.
- Make a list of the questions you want to ask about periodontal disease, symptoms, risk factors, and various types of treatments.
- Be prepared to tell family history regarding gum disease or other oral problems.
Step 3. Relax during the visit
The dentist will analyze the gums of both arches, paying attention to their shape and color. He will also check if they bleed easily and use a thin periodontal probe to check if the pockets between the gums and teeth are wider than 3-5mm, in which case there is a problem.
- Usually, this procedure is painless, although advanced root exposure can create increased sensitivity of the teeth and gums.
- The dentist can also check if the teeth are moving, as when they are loose they indicate a loss of bone support.
- An x-ray of the teeth and jaw may also be needed to assess any bone loss.
Step 4. Prepare an action plan
Once the dentist has diagnosed the disease, you need to work together to define the best treatment for your situation. For early stage gingivitis, no surgical solution is required, while more advanced periodontitis requires more invasive treatments.
- When the problem is still in its infancy, the dentist recommends scaling and root planing. Scaling consists of deep cleaning to remove tartar and bacteria from below the gum line, while root planing smoothes rough root surfaces that can trap bacteria.
- Your doctor may also recommend topical or systemic antibiotics when the disease is still in its late stages.
- Surgical interventions include dental implants, gum and bone grafts, guided regeneration of periodontal tissues to heal damage and prevent future relapses.
- Another option is the application of an enamel matrix derivative. The oral surgeon applies a special gel on the roots of diseased teeth which helps stimulate bone and tissue growth.
Step 5. Consider getting a second opinion for various treatments
If you feel uncomfortable with the idea of the procedure your dentist recommends or you think your doctor is putting pressure on you for a treatment you don't actually need, you can ask your family doctor to recommend another professional. The latter may recommend the same treatments, but you will feel more peaceful that you have also received the information from another source.
Step 6. Schedule subsequent follow-up visits
Once your treatment is over, plan to go back to the dentist more frequently than you previously did. Patients who have had periodontal disease should undergo cleaning every 3 months to prevent further problems.
- Consider undergoing cosmetic procedures to improve the appearance of damaged teeth and gums, such as crown lengthening or dental implants.
- Keep doing good oral hygiene practice at home.
Part 3 of 3: Taking Care of Oral Health
Step 1. Brush your teeth and gums twice a day
Removing food particles from teeth, gums and tongue greatly reduces the chances of bacterial overgrowth in the mouth, which are responsible for gum disease due to germs that get trapped between the teeth and gums.
- Choose a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean thoroughly without irritating the gums. Hard or medium bristles can expose the teeth more below the gum line, and bacteria can become trapped, causing inflammation.
- If possible, brush your teeth after every meal and snack; if not, at least try to rinse your mouth with water after eating, to reduce the bacterial presence by up to 30%.
- Replace your toothbrush every 1-4 months, as worn bristles are not effective at removing plaque and can become a breeding ground for bacteria.
- Electric toothbrushes may be more effective in removing plaque and tartar.
Step 2. Use a toothpaste with fluoride
This substance strengthens teeth and helps remineralize their enamel, protecting them from tooth decay. After the meal, when the mouth is more acidic, fluoride slows the development of acidophilic bacteria, which are the primary cause of gum disease.
- Some toothpastes contain antibacterial substances that can counteract the development of gingivitis.
- Metal salts, such as zinc and stannous chloride, can slightly reduce gingivitis.
Step 3. Floss every day
This type of cleaning helps to clear the spaces between the teeth and below the gum line of any food particles and plaque that can build up, causing bacterial growth. Using the floss and then the toothbrush helps to completely remove bacteria and food residues.
- Slide the floss between your teeth and gently move it horizontally to clean your gums; afterwards, bend it around each individual tooth and slide it up and down to remove the plaque.
- Common wooden or plastic toothpicks are not effective for oral hygiene.
Step 4. Eat a healthy diet
A balanced and nutritious diet, which includes fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C, can support oral health.
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day to flush out plaque and increase saliva production, which inhibits infections.
- Malnutrition is a risk factor for periodontal disease.
Step 5. Stop smoking
Smoking is not only a risk factor for gum disease, it also damages the oral cavity in general, causing gum recession and deterioration of the teeth. The more cigarettes you smoke, the greater the risk of oral diseases.
- Smoking pipes and cigars also carry the same risk of gum disease.
- Chewing tobacco is another culprit in the recession of the gums, giving bacteria a chance to grow, causing periodontitis and tooth loss.
Step 6. Take care of health as a whole
Several diseases are risk factors for gum disease or can make them worse if you don't check your oral health carefully. If you suffer from any chronic or underlying disease, you need to pay particular attention to the well-being of your mouth.
- People with autoimmune diseases, such as HIV and AIDS, are at greater risk of having periodontal disease.
- Diabetes (both type 1 and type 2) is a significant risk factor for dental problems, as it alters blood vessels and increases the concentration of certain inflammatory chemicals, which in turn increase the chances of developing periodontitis..
- Pregnancy and other hormonal changes in women can increase the risk of gum disease, especially among diabetic patients.
Step 7. Schedule regular follow-up visits to the dentist
Diagnosing symptoms early allows you to quickly cure the problem. Sometimes, the signs of such ailments are very obvious, but not always; this is why timely medical intervention is important.
- See your dentist every six to twelve months, or even more often if you are a smoker, have diabetes, have a dry mouth, or are elderly.
- Get a more thorough and thorough check-up every year to monitor for any changes in oral health.
Step 8. Talk to your dentist about your risk factors
It is possible to avoid some of these, such as smoking, but others are beyond your control, such as genetics and age; if you are over 35, you are more likely to suffer from gum problems.
- Make sure you inform your dentist correctly and accurately about your oral history so that they can have a clear idea of your genetic predisposition to this type of disorder.
- Stress can affect the chances of suffering from oral problems due to the hormones released by the body for a build-up of psychological tension.
Step 9. Check that the filling fits snugly in the mouth
The gaps between the tooth and the repair material provide a breeding ground for bacteria and plaque can get trapped there; ask your dentist to regularly check that it is well seated.
Advice
- More research is needed to establish the link between gum disease and heart disease or other cardiovascular problems, but they could all share the same risk factors. Contact your primary care physician if you have been diagnosed with gum disease to see if there are any other related health problems.
- Choose a dentist or oral surgeon with whom you feel comfortable and to whom you feel you can entrust the well-being of your mouth. Teeth are a vital part of overall appearance and health; you should therefore feel comfortable with the person who is taking care of it.
