It’s an alarming fact – 3 out of every 4 adults will be affected by gum disease at some point in their lives and adults over 35 lose more teeth to gum disease than cavities. With statistics like that, the odds are definitely not in your favor, but it doesn’t mean your oral health is simply up to a roll of the dice.
Like anywhere, in San Ramon, gum disease is best prevented through daily oral hygiene and regularly scheduled cleanings and exams. Dr. Kaeley can provide these as well as professional scaling and rooting to address plaque and tartar below the gum line, smooth root surfaces, and allow gums to heal. Aside from proper regular care, there are a number of contributing factors to periodontal disease to consider.
What Is Gingivitis?
Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums, a very common and early form of periodontal disease. It causes infection and inflammation of the gum and teeth tissue, the periodontal ligaments that connect your teeth to the bone and the tooth sockets.
When there is a long-standing build up of plaque on your teeth, that’s when gingivitis can creep in. This is why brushing and flossing daily is a key component to the prevention and treatment of gingivitis. If plaque is not removed from the teeth, it turns into tartar, or calculus, which gets trapped at the base of your teeth and can cause tender, infected, and swollen gums. Left untreated, gingivitis can turn into periodontitis and cause receding gums.
Brushing and flossing twice daily will help to prevent plaque buildup. If plaque is left too long on your teeth, it can form a hard outer shield, which locks in bacteria and can be very difficult to penetrate. If the plaque hardens, it can only be removed by your San Ramon periodontist. This is one of the many reasons why it is so important to get a professional teeth cleaning every six months!
What Are Factors That Can Increase My Risk For Gingivitis
Health Factors:
- Genetics
- Diabetes
- Poor Nutrition
- Smoking
- Substance Abuse
- Age
- Gender- woman are more likely to suffer from gingivitis due to their hormonal changes
- Certain medications
Symptoms
- Swollen and tender gums
- Shiny gums
- Bleeding gums- especially while brushing and flossing
- Mouth sores
- Receding gums
- Bad breath
Other Factors in Gum Disease
Periodontal health can be affected by a number of outside factors, including:
- Stress
- Clenching and/or grinding of teeth
- Poor nutrition
- Tobacco usage
- Medications
- Diabetes
- Pregnancy and/or hormonal changes
You should mention any of these that are relevant to Dr. Kaeley during your regular checkups so she can get a more complete picture of the factors at work in the health of your gums.
What If I Develop Gum Disease?
If you do develop gum disease, Dr. Kaeley offers a variety of non-surgical adjunctive treatments as a first line of defense. These include antibiotic treatments, reshaping of biting surfaces, microscope assisted scaling, and root planing with LANAP. Dr. Kaeley will only recommend surgery when absolutely necessary.
Trust San Ramon gum disease expert Dr. Janice Kaeley for the best in preventive periodontal care. Call (925) 860-7071 today to schedule your consultation.
