I am very thankful that I have been fortunate enough to find this Dentist Office. The entire staff are very pleasant and genuinely care about a good outcome regardless of your situation. You could not ask for better. Dr. Parker is great…😀 …
Halloween is coming up, and many people like to dress up as something scary to celebrate this annual festivities. Maybe you’ll be a monster or a vampire this year. Maybe you’ll be a ghost.
But if you want to truly scare someone, talk to them about the consequences of gum disease. If left untreated, it could leave you toothless and wondering how it happened.
Ideally, we want to help our patients in Decatur, AL, avoid gum infections entirely. Realistically, we also know that it’s inevitable that some people will develop periodontal problems.
If you or someone you love does have a gum infection, please plan to visit Charles F. Betts, Jr., D.M.D. Family Dentistry. We have treatment options that can save your smile and get your mouth back into a healthy condition.
Call 256-274-8680 today to get started.
Know the Symptoms
You should that health experts estimate conservatively that about 70 percent of people will develop some form of gum disease during their lives.
For many people, this will be a mild infection known as gingivitis. The symptoms of this include:
- Gums that are redder than usual
- Gums that appear swollen
- Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
Healthy gums appear pink and feel firm to the touch. They also bleed when you do your daily oral hygiene.
One of the most common reasons people develop gingivitis is because they don’t floss as often as they should. Ideally, you should floss daily to remove plaque, bacteria, and food particles from between your teeth. According to surveys, however, less than half of all Americans actually floss daily.
If you don’t take steps to address your gingivitis, it can lead to periodontitis, an advanced form of gum disease. It’s symptoms include:
- Gums that bleed easily
- Receding gums
- Bad breath
- Loose teeth
- Sore tender gums
You may have one or more of these symptoms. If you do, then you should contact Dr. Betts as soon as you are able. Just so you know, many people never feel pain from a gum infection.
Treating Infected Gums
We offer non-surgical gum disease treatment at our office. To ensure your comfort, we are happy to provide a local anesthetic. We also have inhaled sedation (laughing gas) to call an anxiety and to prevent you from feeling any pain.
Through a procedure called scaling and root planing, we will remove any tartar and plaque from the roots of your teeth. We then smooth the surface of the roots, making it more difficult to bacteria to reattach. This also encourages faster healing.
If needed, Dr. Betts also may prescribe an antibiotic to get rid of any remaining bacteria.
Don’t Lose Your Smile Due to Gum Problems
If you have a gum infection, don’t feel bad. Most people will have one during their lives. What you do about it is the most important thing.
And one of the best things you can do in that situation is visit our dental office in Decatur, AL. Call 256-274-8680 or contact us online to request an appointment.