Our gums play an important part in our oral health. When they suffer from disease or damage, it can affect not just our mouths but our entire body. Like many other dental conditions, gum disease in Cohoes, NY, comes in various stages. If caught early on, many patients can treat gum disease with simple changes to their oral hygiene routine. But if gum disease spreads, it could require more invasive procedures to treat. Your dentist can help track your oral health to determine whether or not you have gum disease.
Stages of Gum Disease in Cohoes, NY
One of the main advantages of seeing a dentist regularly is catching the early warning signs of many dental conditions. Gum disease can start out small and simple. But if left untreated, it can quickly spread and start causing problems. The most common warning signs of gum disease include bleeding while brushing or flossing and swelling. If you notice these symptoms, it’s often a good idea to schedule an appointment with your dentist for treatment.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is often the best-case scenario for gum disease. This early stage of gum disease is generally easy to treat, often requiring minimal procedures. The most common treatment for gingivitis is often an alteration to your at-home hygiene routine. Your dentist may recommend adding an antibacterial mouthwash, for example. For some patients, your dentist may recommend an additional cleaning each year until your gum disease is under control. These extra cleanings can often help prevent plaque and tartar buildup from advancing gum disease.
Periodontitis
As gum disease advances, it crosses over into periodontitis. Periodontitis is often more damaging to your oral health. At this stage, your gums are considerably weaker and have deeper ‘pockets’ where bacteria can hide and cause damage. It’s considerably more difficult to clean your gums properly when you have periodontitis. As such, most patients with advanced gum disease will require a deep cleaning appointment from their dentist.
After their gums are brought back to a healthy level, patients will often need to continue to get more frequent cleanings. Your dentist may schedule you for periodontal maintenance appointments in between your routine visits. Maintaining a good oral hygiene schedule can often be the key to preventing further gum disease or dental damage.
Gum Disease and Your Health
When you have gum disease, it’s not just your mouth that could be affected. Our gums have nerves and veins in them that connect our mouth to the rest of our body. When you have gum disease, there’s a chance that the disease could enter your bloodstream. Recent studies have shown that there is a high correlation between patients who have gum disease and patients who suffer from heart disease or other cardiovascular conditions. Maintaining your oral health could help prevent other health failings.
If you have bleeding or swollen gums, it’s important to see your dentist right away for an exam. Call us today at (518) 650-1930 to schedule an appointment and see if you may need treatment for gum disease.