What Is Gum Disease?

Gum health is often overlooked as a key component of dental health by patients. However, maintaining healthy gums is very important if you want to enjoy a stable and healthy smile. The gums support the teeth- if they start to reed or pull away from tooth roots as a result of infection, you are at risk for tooth loss. Paying attention to how your gums look and feel when performing daily oral hygiene can help you to avoid the more severe effects of gum disease.

How Does Gum Disease Start?

Gum disease develops as a result of bacteria in the mouth. When allowed to build up on the teeth or along the gum line for a variety of reasons, bacteria begin to infect the gums. Gum disease is progressive and will slowly impact your oral health, often called a “silent disease”. The first symptoms are often unnoticeable or very subtle. We find that most patients do not realize they have early-stage gum disease or gingivitis until we identify it during routine dental care.

There is a range of risk factors for gum disease. These can include poor oral hygiene, lifestyle habits such as smoking, and even certain medical conditions. The key to avoiding the effects of gum disease is to be aware of the common signs and to discuss any concerns you may have with our dental care team. Routine dental visits will significantly reduce your risk of developing gum disease. They also provide the opportunity for our dental care team to get to know you and understand any unique risk factors you may have. Regular dental care and good daily oral hygiene will eliminate poor oral health as a factor in disease risk. If you have a medical condition that is impacting your gum health we may recommend additional dental visits to manage the disease and help you avoid permanent damage.

Gum Disease: what to look for.

Would you recognize the signs of gingivitis? Knowing when to seek dental care for developing gum disease is important. If you notice that your gums bleed during daily oral hygiene, changes in the appearance of the gums around tooth roots, or increased sensitivity of the gums it could indicate a problem. Gums that are healthy should not bleed or feel sensitive when eating.

Our Tulsa dental care team offers periodontal therapy and solutions for chronic gum disease. Our goal is to help you avoid damage to the gums or teeth and to enjoy optimal oral health.