Sedation Clinics
Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, which means love and romance are on many people’s minds. The color red is everywhere – red roses, red boxes of chocolate, red… blood in the sink? Yikes! Bleeding gums in Lexington is a sure sign of gum disease and definitely not the color red you want to see this February. What should you do if you experience bleeding gums? February is National Gum Disease Awareness Month, so there is no better time to educate yourself on the causes, signs and treatment options for this common oral infection.
What Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is an infection of the tissues that surround and hold your teeth in place and is typically the result of poor oral hygiene habits. Failure to properly brush and floss at home allows plaque – a sticky film of bacteria – to build up on teeth and harden. If not treated, gum disease can destroy the bone that supports your teeth and even lead to tooth loss. Gum disease has also been linked to numerous other health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, stroke and more.
What Are the Signs of Gum Disease?
Catching and treating gum disease in the earliest stages is very important to avoid lasting damage. You should contact a dentist in Lexington if you notice any of these common symptoms:
- Bright red, dusky red or purplish gums
- Bleeding gums when brushing or flossing
- Tender or swollen gums
- Bad breath, even after brushing
- Loose or shifting teeth
- Painful chewing
- Bite problems caused by shifting teeth
- Receding gums
How Is Gum Disease Treated?
There are three stages of gum disease – gingivitis, periodontitis, and advanced periodontitis – with each stage progressively worse than the one before it. Your dentist will recommend different treatments depending on which stage of gum disease you are experiencing.
For example, scaling and root planing is often sufficient treatment for gingivitis. Essentially a non-surgical deep cleaning, scaling and root planing involves using special tools to remove plaque and tartar from above and below the gum line and smoothing out rough spots on the tooth.
For patients with a more advanced infection, one of the following gum disease treatments in Lexington may be recommended:
- Pocket reduction surgery – Removes tartar and reduces the size of the pockets between the gum and tooth.
- Bone graft – Stimulates bone growth to restore areas of the jawbone that have been destroyed by gum disease.
- Soft tissue graft – Reinforces thin or receding gums by relocating tissue from the top of the mouth.
- Bone surgery – Reshapes the bone around teeth to decrease craters where bacteria can collect and grow.
Now that you know a little more about the causes, signs and treatment of gum disease, you will know when to contact a dentist in Lexington. May the only red you see this Valentine’s Day be the romantic kind!
About the Practice
The team at Dental Wellness of Lexington provides personalized dental care in a state-of-the-art facility. With three experienced dentists on staff, Lexington residents can have all their oral care needs met under a single roof. For more information on gum disease and how to prevent it, visit the Dental Wellness of Lexington website or call 859-223-4644.