We all know the importance of brushing, flossing, and regular visits to our Spring Branch dentist to maintain healthy teeth, but your teeth aren’t the only part of your mouth that benefits from good oral hygiene. Your gums require just as much care as your teeth, though many of our Houston family dentist’s patients often overlook proper gum care, leading to gum disease. Here, we’ll explain the signs of gum disease and how our Spring Branch dentist can help you treat and prevent it.

Gum Disease Explained by Our Spring Branch Dentist

Gum disease, also known as periodontitis or periodontal disease, can be a serious issue if left untreated. It usually begins with gum inflammation, or gingivitis, which can be reversed with good oral hygiene practices such as brushing, flossing, and regular visits to our Spring Branch dentist. But if ignored, gingivitis can quickly turn into periodontitis, which is a cause for concern not only for your mouth, but also your overall health. With gum disease, the buildup of plaque over time causes the inner layer of the gums to peel away from the teeth, leaving spaces for bacteria to collect and become infected. 

Signs of Gum Disease, According to Our Houston Dentist

Should you notice any of these common signs of periodontitis, it’s time to schedule an appointment with our Spring Branch family dentist right away:

• Bleeding gums, especially during brushing
• Halitosis, or bad breath
• Pockets along the gumline
• Swollen gums
• Loose or missing teeth

Since worsening gum disease can be damaging to your oral and overall health, these symptoms should not be ignored. Thankfully, our Houston family dentist can help stop the progression of periodontal disease and identify the presence of infection.

How Our Spring Branch Family Dentist Treats Gum Disease

When it comes to periodontal disease, prevention is the best line of defense. Our Houston dentist uses two techniques to prevent and treat gum disease.

Dental Scaling

Dental scaling is a procedure in which our Spring Branch dentist uses ultrasonic and manual instruments to remove plaque and tartar buildup. The ultrasonic instrument creates vibrations around the teeth that breaks up plaque and tartar, which is then followed by a manual instrument that removes the remaining plaque and tartar. This can be done during your regular dental cleaning with our Houston family dentist

Root Planing

Root planing involves scaling the gums to remove any excess plaque or biofilm, getting into the gums’ root system in order to eliminate bacteria, plaque, and tartar, as well as reduce inflammation. Preventing the progression on gum disease is our Houston dentist’s top priority.

Smiles 4 Texas Can Help You Prevent Gum Disease 

The best way to prevent gum disease is by establishing a good oral hygiene routine and scheduling regular visits to our Spring Branch family dentist. If you want to assess the health of your gums, call us today to schedule an appointment and we’ll give you and your entire family healthy, beautiful smiles.