If you’ve ever wondered about the state of your gums, here’s a sobering statistic: The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research has estimated that 80% of adults in the U.S. have some form of gum disease. Yikes! Given such a high percentage, the chances are good that you or someone you know has this condition.
So, what does that mean, why is it important, and what can you do about it? We’ll cover all those questions in this blog and explain how gum disease therapy in Denton can help!
Why Are Healthy Gums So Important?
When it comes to your oral health, your gums are just as important as your teeth.
That’s because your gums and underlying jawbone are what support your teeth and keep them in place. Even if a tooth doesn’t have a cavity, it can become loose and fall out in advanced stages of gum disease.
Unfortunately, the negative impact of gum disease doesn’t stop there. It also affects your entire body!
How Do Your Gums Affect Your Overall Health?
There have been a huge number of studies over the last 20 years looking at the link between gum health and overall health.
Researchers have found that gum disease is linked to an increased risk for all of the following conditions:
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Stroke
- Alzheimer’s
- Pregnancy Complications
- Certain types of cancer
Although it can be alarming to realize that gum disease can put the rest of your health at risk, the good news is that you can treat your gums and reduce the inflammation in your body.
How Can Gum Disease Therapy in Denton Help?
The first step is to find out what condition your gums are in by seeing a dentist in Denton every six months for checkups.
Rest assured that if your gums are less-than-healthy, we have several effective treatments:
- Deep cleaning – Also called “scaling and root planing,” this procedure removes the plaque and bacteria under the gumline that can’t be removed in the course of a regular cleaning. It usually requires more than one appointment and you will be numbed for comfort. This is usually the first step of any treatment plan for gum disease.
- “Topical” Antibiotic – Not to be confused with taking a round of oral antibiotics, this treatment refers to an antibiotic “gel” that’s placed under the gums. This is right where it needs to be to kill the bacteria that cause gum disease. You could compare this to the way antibiotic ointment works after you’ve cleaned out a cut! It’s an added layer of antibacterial protection.
- Laser therapy – A soft-tissue laser is a wonderful way to treat the gums because it safely and comfortably removes unhealthy tissues and also makes the healing process much easier. That’s a win-win!
Modern dentistry means that treating gum disease is easier than ever before. With the right care, you can have healthy gums for life!
About the Author
Dr. Todd Balington and Dr. Gabrielle Dizon understand that gum health is crucial for having excellent oral and overall health. That’s why they provide multiple options for treatment and always take the time to educate their patients about this important link. If you have any questions, they can be reached via their website or at (940) 383-3300.