Why are healthy gums so important?
Healthy gums are so important because they are a sign of bigger issues that can occur in our body. We often think that our mouth is just its own separate portion of our body, but our mouth is actually the gateway to our body. So if the mouth is unhealthy, well, then our body will follow. Healthy gums have an impact on our heart health, preventing cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, and Alzheimer's. It can even affect pregnancy. So gums are a huge part of our overall health system, and that's why having healthy gums is so important.
How can I tell if my gums are healthy or unhealthy?
One of the key indicators would be whether they bleed when you floss and brush. Bleeding is the first sign that disease is starting to take place or set in. For example, if my skin is healthy and I scratch it, it's not going to bleed. But if I have a really bad sunburn or a scab and do the same thing, there's a good chance it's going to peel away or start bleeding, showing it's not healthy. So, when you floss and brush your gums and they start bleeding, that tells us bacteria have started to set in. Bacteria like to stay up against the gums and start to ulcerate and deteriorate them. When you remove that bacteria, your gums bleed because they have been creating a layer against your gums. Other indicators would be the color and texture of your gums. You want pink, firm gums because they keep stuff from going under the gum. Loose, red, and swollen gums indicate they are not healthy. The best way to tell is to come into a dentist, and we'll do measurements around every single tooth to determine if your gums are healthy.
What causes unhealthy gums?
Unhealthy gums are caused by a multitude of factors. The most common factor is hygiene—how well we are brushing and flossing. That's why every cleaning or dental appointment, you're going to hear the dentist and hygienist stress brushing and flossing because neglect and lack of hygiene are the number one causes. There are also systemic diseases that affect our gums, like diabetes and heart disease. Certain medications for high blood pressure or seizures can also affect our gum health. Often, we can figure out from the gums that something is going on in someone's overall health that they may not even know.
How can unhealthy gums be fixed?
The way to fix unhealthy gums is through cleanings. There are a variety of different types of cleanings in dentistry, so not all are the same. The type of cleaning we do is based on the measurement of your gums, bone loss, swelling, and buildup on your teeth. In some situations, when the bone loss is severe, we have to do surgery to fix it. In our office, this surgery is done with a laser, which helps remove unhealthy tissue, bacteria, and tartar, leaving behind healthy tissue for the bone and gums to grow back. The goal is to get you back to a normal, healthy state so all you have to do is maintain it.
What is involved in the process of deep cleaning of teeth?
When you come in for a deep cleaning, we're looking for measurements. A measurement of three or less is considered healthy. If a person has a four or higher or lots of bleeding with threes, it indicates disease. For milder cases, we might use numbing gel around the gums for comfort and clean just under the gum. For deeper measurements, we use injections to numb the area thoroughly. This allows us to clean under the gums without causing pain. The goal is to leave behind healthy tissue, gums, bone, and teeth so they can heal and grow back together.
Why does it take more than one sitting for a dental cleaning?
Sometimes it takes more than one visit because insurance dictates it that way. Ideally, I would like to do the deep cleaning in one sitting, but insurance might require it to be done in sections. This means more visits and more discomfort for you. Research shows it's always better to do everything at one time for better long-term results. However, you have the choice to decide whether to follow the insurance or not. Your health is more important than what insurance dictates, and we support whatever choice is best for you.
Is a deep dental cleaning painful?
A deep cleaning is not typically painful. Our gums are the fastest healing part of our body. After a deep cleaning, you might need a little Advil or Tylenol the same day, but by the next day, 99% of people need nothing more. We often prescribe a special mouth rinse to help with healing. Discomfort is usually minimal, mostly a little soreness that lasts half a day or 24 hours.
What are the best ways to take care of my gums at home after a deep dental cleaning?
After a deep cleaning, the best way to take care of your gums and teeth is to maintain flossing and brushing. Brush at least twice a day and floss at least once. The water pick has become popular and is more effective than regular flossing because it can penetrate deeper and flush out more debris. You can also add mouth rinse to the water pick for better cleaning. These are the best ways to maintain gum health at home.
At what point is gum grafting necessary?
If someone has advanced gum disease, it leads to bone disease, resulting in bone loss and gum recession. When the root becomes exposed, it's more susceptible to cavities and sensitivity to temperatures. After stabilizing and cleaning the mouth, the next step is gum grafting to cover the root. We can use extra gum tissue from your mouth or materials from medical companies to cover it. These are the steps involved when someone needs gum grafting.
How can I schedule a dental appointment?
To schedule a dental appointment, call our office at (210) 972-0768. You can also visit our website at inspireddental.com to request or book an appointment. If you're wondering whether you have gum disease, you definitely need to see a dental professional. Our office is an advanced general dentistry practice specializing in all areas of dentistry, including gum health and disease. We would love to care for you and help you live the healthiest life you deserve.
What does the phrase “oral health” mean to you? No new cavities at your dental checkup? That’s certainly part of it. But it’s really so much more than a lack of tooth decay.
Good oral health means a mouth that’s free of disease – which can range all the way from mild gingivitis (gum inflammation) to oral cancer; a bite that functions well enough for you to eat without pain and get ample nutrition; and a smile that lets you express your happiest emotions with confidence.
Simply put, oral health is a crucial component of your overall health and well-being.
It’s important to realize that small – and readily treatable – problems in your mouth can become more complicated, painful and expensive if neglected for too long. Some of these oral health conditions may even have ramifications throughout the whole body. Gingivitis, for example, can sometimes progress to periodontitis – a more serious form of gum disease that can loosen teeth and cause them to fall out.
Missing teeth can lead to bone loss in the jaw and inadequate nutrition. And numerous studies have shown that people with severe gum disease may be at increased risk for developing cardiovascular disease. The moral of this story: Routine maintenance can pay off big.
What You Can Do to Stay Healthy
One of the most important things you can do to safeguard your oral health is to maintain a daily oral hygiene routine that effectively removes plaque from your teeth. It’s the bacteria that thrive in the plaque biofilm that cause so many oral health problems. Effective oral hygiene involves brushing your teeth twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste and flossing at least once per day to remove plaque from between the teeth. Nutrition and lifestyle choices also play an important role. You don’t have any control over hereditary factors that may predispose you to gum disease – but you do have control over how much sugar you eat and when you eat it; how often you exercise; whether you smoke; and how often you visit the dentist.
How Dentistry Can Help
If you only see a dentist when problems arise, you may be missing out on some important benefits! As doctors who specialize in oral health, dentists offer a wide range of preventive services. At your regular exams, for example, you will be checked for any signs of oral cancer, tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral infections; hard-to-reach deposits from your teeth will be cleaned; and you can get answers to any questions you have on topics ranging from oral hygiene issues to the connection between oral health and systemic diseases. So please don’t wait for a serious problem to come up before you make an appointment at the dental office. Having regular checkups could save you lots of time, aggravation, and cost in the long run. It could even save your teeth! Working together, we can take proactive steps toward a healthy future.