Your gums serve a very important function. They help to hold your teeth in place and protect your jaw bone. Gum disease actually causes the deterioration of these tissues, and eventually this condition will affect the health of the bone underneath if not treated. The scary thing is that somewhere around 75% of American adults have some form of gum disease, and yet 60% of us don’t really know much about the problem. That’s a lot of people who may not be seeking much-needed periodontal therapy, and the consequences can be serious, including bone damage and tooth loss. But don’t freak out. Overcoming gum disease can be easy with a little help and periodontal therapy from Ryan Dental Group in Allen, Texas.

First, what is gum disease? Very simply, it’s an inflammation of the soft tissues that cover your jaw bone and surround the base of your teeth. This inflammation is caused by plaque buildup and bacteria that grows along and below the gum line, and it’s often the result of not flossing daily. Brushing your teeth is great for preventing cavities, but it doesn’t reach to the heart of the gum disease problem. That’s why we recommend flossing once a day; it can help you avoid gum disease and the need for periodontal therapy.

However, if you do develop gum disease, there’s no need to be embarrassed. As previously stated, most people have it at any given point in time. The key is to do something about it once you know it’s a problem. To find out whether or not you’re in need of periodontal therapy, look for the following symptoms:

• Bleeding gums
• Tenderness, swellings, and/or redness
• Bad breath
• Loosening of the teeth

There are other symptoms, but these are the most common, and they’re often overlooked. Bleeding gums are not normal, even if they only bleed when you floss. And don’t just rely on the appearance of symptoms to alert you to the presence of gum disease. Some people show no symptoms at all. Make sure you’re regularly visiting our Allen, Texas dental office for those vital checkups and hygiene appointments, and we can make recommendations about periodontal therapy and other possible care needs you might have.

The good news is that if we catch your gum disease early, we can treat it with non-surgical periodontal therapy. Non-surgical periodontal therapy involves scaling and root planing, the processes by which we clean below the gums to depths that you cannot reach with your toothbrush or floss at home. We also clean the root surfaces and smooth them. Smooth surfaces make it harder for plaque to catch hold and form calculus. Finally, areas below the gums are irrigated with antibacterial rinses and sometimes antibiotics in powder form are placed below the gums to get rid of the bacteria that cause periodontal disease. We'll end the appointment by giving you instructions on how to better protect your mouth from gum disease in the future.

Don’t wait until you see the symptoms of gum disease before you visit Ryan Dental Group in Allen, Texas – visit us every six months for preventive exams and cleanings. If you’re in Parker, Lucas, Plano, McKinney, Fairview, or surrounding communities, know that Ryan Dental Group offers comprehensive general dentistry and so much more at our convenient location just east of the intersection of Greenville Avenue and Main Street. Contact our office to make an appointment.