Ignoring the signs of tooth decay has several serious consequences, including bacteria getting into the gums and causing the disease periodontitis. This condition can ravage the mouth by exposing the roots of your teeth to the disease, and it can get eaten away at the jawbone.
Fortunately, our dentists can cure the disease in the early stages with periodontal treatment.
The primary way to treat the early stages of gum disease is to get rid of the build-up of plaque and tartar on your teeth. Plaque is a liquid substance that you naturally get in your mouth every day. You can brush and rinse it away before it dries on your teeth to form tartar.
If tartar builds up on your teeth, the bacteria within it can turn to tooth decay and form cavities. Unfortunately, many people still ignore it and gum disease forms. Brushing away plaque is vital to get rid of decay-causing bacteria. Dental cleanings can help get rid of it, too.
Our dentists at Thumbs Up Dental can do a scaling and root planing, or deep cleaning, to get rid of tartar on teeth when they see gum disease forming. The main sign is the gums start to recede from your teeth. If they catch it early, then our dentists in North Branch and Caro, MI, can do a deep cleaning to stop the disease.
If you continually ignore the signs of gum disease, then our dentists may not be able to slow down its progress, and it can damage the jaw. Surgical intervention is possible by thoroughly cleaning the gums and then trying gum flap surgery to try and repair the gums.
However, the surgery is not a guarantee that the disease won’t progress anymore. When the gums are receding, they form pockets in which decay hides and breeds. It is very difficult to remove decay from those pockets, and it can continue to do more damage.
Eventually, you may need a bone graft to replace a jaw with severe damage. If you notice bleeding gums that are bright red and swollen, visit our dentists at Thumbs Up Dental in North Branch and Caro, MI, for periodontal disease treatment.