Don’t let gum disease ruin your oral health. Be on the lookout for these warning signs.

When people think about their oral health they often focus on keeping their teeth clean, but what about their gums? Your gum health is just as important as the health of your teeth; however, more than half of American adults are dealing with some degree of gum disease (most of which don’t even realize they have it). Since gum disease is one of the most common causes of tooth loss it’s important that you turn to our Lawrenceville, NJ, periodontists, Dr. John Lu and Dr. Raul Figueroa, right away if you notice any of these warning signs:

• Bleeding gums
• Gums that are swollen, red, and puffy
• Gums that are tender to the touch
• Gum pain when chewing
• Receding gums (teeth will appear longer than usual)
• Tooth sensitivity to hot or cold (and sometimes sugar)
• Loose teeth (in more advanced stages)

How is gum disease treated?

If our Lawrenceville gum disease specialist catches gum disease when it’s only gingivitis (the earliest stage of the disease), then it can actually be reversed; however, while full-blown periodontal disease can’t be cured it can be properly and effectively controlled with simple measures such as scaling and root planing.

Scaling and root planing is the most common treatment option that involves deep cleaning the tooth roots and under the gums to remove tartar buildup and bacteria. Of course, more advanced stages of gum disease may require surgery.

Along with these treatment options, we will also recommend certain lifestyle modifications (e.g. quitting smoking) and show you proper and effective brushing and flossing techniques to keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy.

What happens if gum disease is left untreated?

Along with the unpleasant symptoms associated with gum disease, if the disorder is left untreated it can also cause tooth loss. Furthermore, gum disease has also been linked to a variety of serious systemic diseases such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, and even certain kinds of cancers.

If you are dealing with redness, swelling, or bleeding gums, it’s important that you turn to our periodontal specialists in Lawrenceville, NJ, as soon as possible for the care your gums deserve. Call Lawrenceville Dental Implant Center And Periodontics today.