Is your smile as bright as it can be? Do your pearly whites shine when you flash them? Are your gums pink and firm or red, swollen and inflamed? If your gums are not healthy they will definitely affect your smile, and you won’t be a picture of good health without them!
The earliest stage of gum disease is called gingivitis. It is basically an inflammation of the gum tissue caused by a buildup of plaque and tartar at the gum line. If the tartar isn’t removed by your dentist at your twice annual dental cleaning it can advance into periodontitis.
When gum disease reaches this stage tartar buildup near the gum line can cause your gums to pull back from your teeth. This creates pockets in your gums that can harbor bacterial infection. Over time this inflammation in the gum tissue can result in systemic inflammation that can impact your immune system. Left untreated periodontitis can even cause a loss of material in the bones that anchor your teeth.
While you can keep periodontitis from advancing by improving your oral health regimen, you cannot completely resolve it without professional treatment. In some cases surgical intervention or prescription medication is required. If you have developed periodontitis you will need some level of professional care to affect a total return to healthy gums. Your dentist or periodontist can advise you on your treatment options and long term effects.
If you are concerned that you might be developing gingivitis or periodontitis, please feel free to call us at 919-847-8074 to schedule an appointment and let us help you restore your smile back to good health!