Columbia Smiles

Common Gum Problems

Feb 1, 2012 @ 01:44 AM — by Nicholas Pournaras, D.M.D.
Tagged with: Gum Disease Gingivitis Periodontitis

Everyone knows that taking care of your teeth is important for a healthy mouth, but many people don’t realize that it’s just as important that you take care of your gums as well. If you don’t take good care of your gums, you might experience swelling in the gums, discoloration of the gums, and bleeding gums. Should this progress further, unhealthy gums can lead to discomfort, tooth loss, and may even affect the bone structures of the mouth.

Columbia, SC cosmetic dentist Dr. Nicholas Pournaras takes great care to ensure his patients have healthy teeth and gums. This is a sure way to maintain good dental health down the road. We’d like to take a brief minute right now to discuss the various gum problems that people may face.

One common issue with gums that people face but don’t realize is damage to the gums from their toothbrushes. If you brush too vigorously, it can harm the gums and do damage to the gum line, leading to tooth sensitivity and gum recession. To prevent this, be sure to brush gently yet thoroughly and to use a toothbrush with soft bristles.

Gum disease is another major problem that people face when it comes to their gums. Gum disease occurs when plaque build-up and particles affect the soft tissues in the mouth. The early stage of gum disease is known as gingivitis. If it progresses, gingivitis can develop into periodontitis. The common symptoms of gum disease are gum discoloration, puffiness of the gums, and bleeding gums. As gum disease become more serious, a person may notice gum pain, gum recession, and persistent bad breath.

In order to address gum disease at early or advanced stages, it’s important for patients to undergo some sort of gum therapy. Columbia, SC gum therapy can help restore the gumline through tissue transplantation. Deep cleanings can also help address issues related to gum disease and prevent serious dental problems from occurring down the line.

For more information on gum therapy and other dental care issues, be sure to contact Cayce, SC cosmetic dentist Dr. Nicholas Pournaras today.