Dentist Frisco TX: What You Should Know About Gum Disease

Dentist Frisco TX: What You Should Know About Gum Disease

When you visit your dentist Frisco TX, he or she will probably tell you how important it is to take care of your gums.  Daily brushing and flossing to remove the plaque – the sticky, colorless, bacteria-filled film that covers your teeth – can help to keep gum inflammation or gingivitis to a minimum.  When you neglect your dental health, gingivitis can progress into irreversible damage that can mean teeth that fall out or have to be extracted.  The three stages of gum disease are:

▪  Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease and the easiest to reverse.  It is caused by plaque build-up at the gumline.  If unchecked by brushing and flossing, the bacteria release toxins that irritate the gums, which turn red and sometimes bleed.  At this point, the bone and connective tissue that hold the teeth in place are not damaged.

▪  Periodontitis is the stage at which the tooth-supporting bone and tissue of the mouth become irreversibly damaged.  The gums begin separating from the teeth leaving pockets that trap food and bacteria.  Treatment by your dentist Frisco TX and attention to your dental hygiene can stop the progression of the disease.

▪  Advanced Periodontitis is the final stage of gum disease in which the pockets around the teeth deepen and the bone and tissue are completely destroyed, which can cause the teeth to loosen.  If treatment by your dentist can’t save the teeth, they have to be extracted.  Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.

The symptoms of gum disease include swollen, red, tender gums, gums that bleed when brushed or flossed, receding gums, teeth that no longer fit together correctly, loose teeth, and persistently bad breath.  The treatment for the early stages of gum disease is good oral hygiene that includes regular brushing and flossing and visiting your dentist Frisco TX and dental hygienist twice a year for checkups and teeth cleaning.  The dental hygienist can remove plaque that has hardened and turned into tartar and will also remove tartar below the gumline.  Treatment for advanced periodontitis is much more complex and invasive and can include pocket-reduction surgery, bone grafts and soft tissue grafts.

Dr. Faysal Chaudhry of Prestonbrook Dental in Frisco is a leading and experienced periodontist who can treat your gum problems.  He and his experienced and caring staff can provide you with the best dental care in the area.  Visit www.prestonbrookdental.com to learn more about the services that Prestonbrook Dental provides.  Call 214-705-7948 to schedule an appointment for a checkup and cleaning.

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