Almost everyone will develop gum disease at some time in their lives, and that’s a shame. Gum disease is almost completely preventable.
Those Darned Bacteria
Gum disease is due to bacteria. We all have large numbers of bacteria in our mouths. Some of those bacteria combine with our saliva to create a thin, sticky film called plaque. Plaque forms on the gum line around our teeth; normally, the liquids we drink and our saliva wash them away. Having bacteria in prolonged, close contact with our teeth and gums leads to problems.
The bacteria in plaque secrete toxins that irritate the gums. Gum tissue changes from a firm, healthy pink to swollen, puffy, and dark red. If your gums bleed when you brush or floss, you may have the first stage of gum disease, known as gingivitis.
Good oral hygiene, including thorough daily and flossing, will easily remove plaque. However, plaque begins to reform within 24 hours after being removed. That’s why daily brushing and flossing are so vital.
However, there are places in the mouth that many people have trouble cleaning thoroughly. It only takes one or two small areas of plaque to cause problems. To help keep gum disease at bay, schedule a dental cleaning and examination at Joseph A. Ricciardi, DDS PC. Our dental hygienists will ensure that every trace of plaque is removed which is the first step in reversing gingivitis.
Things Get Serious
If plaque is left in place, it hardens into something called dental tartar, or calculus. You can’t brush or floss tartar away; it’s harder than your dental enamel. If tartar is present, the bacteria go into overdrive in secreting toxins. Your gums become more inflamed and tender, and can even pull away from your teeth. The gaps allow bacteria to get below the gum line and create pockets of pus.
Eventually, your teeth can loosen and even fall out. But even worse, chronic gum disease has been linked to a number of health problems, including heart disease, lung problems, various forms of cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and diabetes. Those conditions can develop when the bacteria below the gumline get into the bloodstream.
This stage of gum disease is known as periodontitis, and you absolutely must have professional dental care to safeguard your teeth and your overall health
Call Joseph A. Ricciardi, DDS PC to schedule an appointment. We’ll remove the dental tartar above the gum line through a process known as dental scaling. Tartar below the gum line is removed through root planing. We’ll also thoroughly clean out any pockets of infection.
And while you may think there’s nothing that can be done if your gums have receded, that’s not correct. We can refer you to an expert periodontist who can provide gum recession treatment.
Don’t Wait
If it’s been a while since your last cleaning and examination; or, if you think you might have gum disease, call Joseph A. Ricciardi, DDS PC today at call 609-752-3293. You can also use our online contact form to arrange an appointment or to ask us any questions you might have about gum disease treatment.
Gum disease happens even to people to who try to take excellent care of their teeth. There’s no reason to be embarrassed – our complete focus is on restoring the health of your mouth through effective gum disease treatment.