If you want to project the picture of good health, your smile is a crucial part of the frame. And if your teeth look nice but your gums are bright red and inflamed, that can detract from an otherwise healthy looking smile. Protecting your gum health is just as important as beautiful teeth!
If your gums are not healthy, you may have gingivitis. This is the early stage of gum disease. This is where the gum tissue is inflamed, caused by accumulated plaque and tartar at the gum line. Once plaque has hardened into tartar your dentist will have to remove it during your twice a year dental cleanings. If you skip those cleanings and the tartar is allowed to accumulate you may end up with advanced periodontitis.
If gum disease is allowed to flourish unchecked, the buildup of gum disease will eventually cause the gums to pull back from the teeth. If this happens, pockets will develop in the gums and increase the chance of bacterial infection. Over time this inflammation of the gums increases your risk of systemic inflammation that may negatively affect your immune system. Periodontitis can also ultimately cause a loss of bone material that anchors your teeth.
You can stem the advancing tide of periodontitis by stepping up your oral health regimen, but by itself that cannot completely turn around the disease if it has gone on long enough. You will want a dental professional to clear out the tartar from the gum line. If the periodontitis is highly advanced, you may require surgical prevention or antibiotics to help. With periodontitis you may at some point require professional care to get yourself back to a healthy set of gums. If you do have periodontitis, see your dentist or periodontist to provide you with the treatment options you may require.
If your gums have become inflamed, swollen or infected and you need help restoring them back to health again, give our office a call at 843-757-2828 to schedule an appointment and allow our dental team to help you bring your healthy smile back!