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Gum Disease

Your mouth is an essential feature of your body. Not only is the entryway into the body, but it is also responsible for many crucial tasks, including eating and speaking. Taking proper care of your mouth is important for maintaining its health. This care involves daily brushing and flossing, along with twice yearly cleanings and exams. Ignoring any part of your oral care routine, even only occasionally, can lead to gum disease. While gum disease may not seem like a big deal when it starts, most people do not even know that they have it, it can quickly become a serious issue that affects the health of your mouth and your whole body. At Cooley Smiles, we can diagnose gum disease and provide you with the treatment you need to restore the health of your mouth.

What is Gum Disease?

Gum disease is a progressive condition. When it starts, you might not even know that you have it. Plaque and bacteria irritate the gum tissue, causing it to become inflamed. The earliest warning signs of gum disease, red, swollen gums, often go ignored or are thought to be the result of brushing too hard. When gum disease goes untreated, the swollen tissue begins to pull away from the surfaces of your teeth. Bacteria fall below the gum line and begin attacking the periodontal ligaments and your jawbone. This causes these supporting structures to become weak. Your teeth become loose, and they may even fall out.

Gum Disease Causes

One of the biggest causes of gum disease is poor oral hygiene practices. Regular brushing and flossing, along with regular professional cleanings and exams, are essential for preventing gum disease. Ignoring these habits, even skipping them only occasionally, can significantly increase your risk.

Other causes of gum disease include:

•	Poorly aligned teeth. If your teeth are crooked or improperly spaced, they create hiding places for oral bacteria. These areas are also harder to keep clean, leading to buildup.
•	You suffer from dry mouth. Dry mouth is a condition in which there is not enough saliva in your mouth. This type of environment is perfect for fostering bacterial growth. Dry mouth can be caused by excessive drinking, certain medications, and even certain medical conditions.
•	Changes in your hormones, such as pregnancy or menopause.
•	Poor nutrition. If you lack certain nutrients in your diet, your gums are at a greater risk for gum disease.

How Do I Know if I Have Gum Disease?

There are several symptoms that accompany gum disease. The symptoms you experience vary based on the severity of the condition.

•	Red, swollen gums. These symptoms are the earliest indications.
•	Bad breath that you cannot seem to get rid of.
•	Your gum line begins to recede.
•	Small gaps start to show between your teeth. This often occurs as your gums recede.
•	Tooth sensitivity. This is caused by root exposure, which is a result of gum recession.
•	Your teeth become loose. As the supporting structures of your teeth become weak, your teeth become loose. When your teeth are loose, they may even begin to shift out of alignment.
•	Tooth loss.

Treating Gum Disease

There are various treatments for gum disease. The treatments you receive depend upon how advanced your gum disease is.

•	Scaling and root planing. This is a common treatment and is a deep cleaning of your teeth.
•	Laser dentistry. A laser may be used to remove infected tissue to make scaling and root planing more effective. Lasers can also help to eliminate bacteria in periodontal pockets.
•	Pocket reduction surgery. This is a procedure that is designed to clean deeper pockets and to help reduce pocket depth to aid in healing.
•	Grafting. Grafts are surgical procedures. A gum graft restores gum tissue after gum recession. A bone graft is performed to restore missing bone mass, and is typically done before dental implant surgery.

If you suspect that you have gum disease, it is important that you seek treatment right away. Call Cooley Smiles at (425) 569-4545 today to schedule your appointment.

Get in Touch!

PHONE
(425) 569-4545

EMAIL
lynnwood@cooleysmiles.com

LOCATION
19505 76th Ave. West Suite # 100
Lynnwood, WA 98036-5045

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Cooley Smiles - Lynnwood, 19505 76th Ave. West Suite # 100, Lynnwood, WA 98036 • (425) 569-4545 • cooleysmileslynnwood.com • 10/15/2024 • Associated Words: dentist Lynnwood WA •