About 80 percent of adult Americans suffer from some form of gum disease, reports the National Institutes of Health. Many American adults suffer from gum disease and do not know it because they do not go see a dentist. Unfortunately, gum disease is one of those things that cannot be treated at home. Fortunately, it can be managed before significant damage sets in. Here are tips from Alpha Dental Center in Attleboro MA on how to combat your gum disease.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
Are your gums sore, swollen and bleed every time you brush or floss? Perhaps your gums bleed when you eat. These are signs of gum disease. Make an appointment with a dentist right away. If you ignore these symptoms, you will get sores on your gums and pus on your teeth and gums. There is also evidence that gum disease may lead to heart problems.
Scaling and Mouth Cleaning
The first part of treating gum disease is for your dentist to get rid of all plaque inside of your gums. This means cleaning above and below the gum line. You may know someone who needed their gums drilled in order to remove all of the plaque and pus. This is usually no longer done except in extreme cases. Instead, dentists use scaling or scraping to remove plaque and bacteria that causes plaque. Some dental practices use lasers for this cleaning.
Medications
Your dentist may prescribe a variety of medications in order to kill bacteria in your mouth that contributes to gum disease. These include antibiotic pills, antimicrobial mouth rinses or an enzyme suppressant pill. Other medications can be placed inside of your mouth or gums by your dentist such as antibiotic microspheres, antibiotic gels or antibiotic chips.
If Flossing or Brushing Hurts
Daily brushing and flossing are great ways to prevent gum disease or keep it from coming back. However, if it hurts to brush or floss, tell your dentist. Gentler options may be available for you.
In Conclusion
Do not ignore symptoms of gum disease. This problem gets worse over time and does not go away without the help of a dentist. Visit the website of Alpha Dental Center in Attleboro MA to find out more information on treating gum disease.
