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How To Detect And Treat Gum Disease

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Gum disease is one of the most common signs of oral health issues, and intervening with treatments is important. Regardless of whether the condition is advanced or early-stage, there almost always is a gum disease treatment option available. You and a dentist should discuss the following issues in diagnosing and treating periodontal disease.

Diagnostics

The best diagnostic tool is visiting the dentist for regular checkups. Depending on your oral health after the first visit, a dentist might schedule additional treatment within weeks or simply put you on a schedule for a checkup once every several months.

If you haven't been to the dentist in a while or are between checkups, there are a few things you can do to detect problems on your own. Foremost, look for blood in your spit whenever you brush and floss. While you might knick yourself once every few months if you floss too aggressively, you shouldn't see blood several times a week.

Secondly, note any persistently funny smells or tastes in your mouth. If this continues, ask your dentist to schedule an appointment to see what's going on. Even if the problem isn't gum disease, it could be something more worrisome like oral cancer. Regardless of what the problem is, early intervention is going to be a good choice.

Thirdly, look for discolorations along your gums. They could be red with soreness, although there might also be pale patches. Report anything you see to your dentist immediately.

Finally, take all feelings of looseness in your teeth seriously and tell your dentist. Periodontal disease can weaken your gums' grip on your teeth, and this can leave them feeling slightly loose. Any full-on tooth loss should be a source of immediate concern.

Treatment

Practitioners have many periodontal disease treatment methods. A dentist will usually determine which approach to pursue based on how advanced the disease appears to be.

In many cases where gum disease hasn't progressed very far, the solution may be as simple as scheduling a professional cleaning. A hygienist can often access plaque that sticks to the teeth at and below the gum line. Bacteria often sit in these pockets and cause infections.

Oral rinses are another common solution. Dentists can prescribe strong products, and they may also recommend over-the-counter options. In severe cases, a dentist may also prescribe antibiotics to get infections down.

Also, you may need to change your brushing tools. Using the wrong brush or floss can leave plaque behind. Depending on the observed problems, a dentist might recommend a small brush that can clean between the teeth and along the gums.


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