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Gum disease is actually the most common disease in the U.S, affecting about 65 million people. This is an amazing statistic considering how much you probably hear about heart disease and diabetes. The gums are so important that there is an entire field of study concerned with keeping them healthy: periodontics. Your dentist in Valparaiso at Smiles of Valparaiso & Associates wants you to know a little more about your gums, and how you can protect them from gum disease.

What Is Gum Disease?

Much of dentistry is concerned with keeping your teeth healthy, but the gums are just as important when it comes to your oral health. They do two very important things: One, they protect the sensitive enamel around your teeth’s roots, and two, they bring essential blood flow to the area. Just like your teeth, the buildup of plaque and bacteria can eventually lead to the breakdown of the gum tissue. This is what we call gum disease. Some common signs are:

  • Red, swollen, or puffy gums
  • Gums that bleed frequently
  • Receding gums
  • Pockets and bumps along the gum line.

These are all signs that your gums have become infected. Gum disease starts very subtly, but can eventually impact your mouth’s health dramatically. Gum disease is actually the leading cause of tooth loss in patients over 35.

Prevention and Treatment

Ideally, you’d be able to prevent gum disease altogether, and this is accomplished primarily with routine brushing and flossing. Be sure to clean along and even below the gum line at home. This will help stop most gum disease before it can even start. Your normal routine is also the best treatment for mild cases of gum disease.

Of course, if you develop a more advanced case, you need to be treated quickly. The team at Smiles of Valparaiso & Associates have various methods to provide you with effective gum disease therapy.

One set of procedures involves a deep cleaning of your teeth along with the gum line, known as scaling and root planing. Scaling uses specialized tools to clean off the built-up bacteria and plaque that is irritating your gums. Afterward, root planing smooths the rough surfaces of your teeth’s roots so that bacteria is less likely to accumulate there in the future. These procedures are relatively painless, and can typically be completed in one visit.

Gum disease can also be treated using a Waterlase All-Tissue Dental Laser. It is able to remove plaque and bacteria from the area without disturbing the soft-tissue as much as other treatments. This speeds up the treatment and can significantly reduce recovery time.

Want to Know More?

Gum disease has actually been linked to much more serious conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, and even dementia. Dr. Arnold and his team are more than capable of treating your gum disease before it can ever get to that point.

If you would like to know more about how to take care of your gums or the signs of gum disease to watch out for, please give us a call today.