Are you an Edina resident wondering if some of the changes you’ve noticed in your gums are normal, or if they might be signs you need professional periodontal treatment? Your gum health is a cornerstone of your overall oral health, and ignoring warning signs can lead to more serious problems down the road. At 50th and France Dental Care, we want to help you recognize when it's time to seek care.
Key Signs of Gum Trouble Edina Patients Shouldn't Ignore
Whether something feels a bit off, or even if your gums feel perfectly healthy, staying vigilant about the health of your gums can fend off several troublesome symptoms. These include:
- Frequent bleeding from your gums, especially when brushing or flossing
- Gum tissue that is swollen, tender, and inflamed, suggesting infection
- Persistent bad breath that doesn't abate with regular brushing and mouthwash rinses
- Receding gum tissue that threatens to expose dental roots
- Adult teeth that are loose or shift positions
- Pain or extreme sensitivity while chewing normally
If you experience any of these symptoms, we recommend visiting your dentist as soon as possible. Early detection and treatment of these issues can halt gum disease in its earliest stages (gingivitis), well before it develops into the far more troublesome periodontitis.
What Do These Signs Mean? Understanding Periodontal (Gum) Disease
These symptoms are often indicators of periodontal disease, an infection of the tissues that hold your teeth in place. It typically starts as gingivitis, an early stage where gums become red, swollen, and may bleed easily. If not addressed, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis. At this more advanced stage, the gums pull away from the teeth, forming spaces (called "pockets") that become infected. The body's immune system fights the bacteria as the plaque spreads and grows below the gum line. Bacterial toxins and the body's natural response to infection start to break down the bone and connective tissue that hold teeth in place.
The primary cause is usually bacterial plaque that hardens into tartar, but factors like smoking, diabetes, genetics, and poor oral hygiene can increase your risk and the severity of the condition.
If left unchecked, these symptoms can progress and cause a variety of serious oral and overall health issues, like tooth loss, loss of jawbone density, dental abscesses, and heightened risk of health conditions like heart disease, diabetes, respiratory disease, and stroke.
The Risks of Delaying Periodontal Treatment in Edina
Ignoring these signs and delaying periodontal treatment can have significant consequences for Edina patients:
- Worsening Gum Disease: What might be a manageable issue now can escalate, requiring more complex and invasive treatments later.
- Tooth Loss: Periodontitis is a leading cause of tooth loss in adults. As the supporting bone and tissue are destroyed, teeth can become so loose they fall out or require extraction.
- Jawbone Deterioration: The infection can lead to a loss of jawbone density, affecting your facial structure and future options for dental restorations like implants.
- Increased Health Risks: Research has linked advanced gum disease to other serious health conditions, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes complications, and respiratory disease. Your oral health is intrinsically linked to your overall well-being.
How Periodontal Treatment at 50th and France Dental Care Can Help
If you recognize any of the signs mentioned, the good news is that effective periodontal treatment is available right here in Edina at 50th and France Dental Care. The goal of treatment is to:
- Control the infection
- Stop the progression of the disease
- Restore your gums to a healthy state
- Help you maintain your natural teeth
Depending on the severity of your gum disease, Dr. Andrew Anderson may recommend:
- Non-Surgical Treatments: For earlier stages, this often includes scaling and root planing (a deep cleaning to remove plaque and tartar from below the gumline and smooth tooth roots) or specialized treatments like Perio-Protect® to deliver medication directly to infected areas.
- Surgical Treatments: In more advanced cases, surgical procedures might be necessary to access deep pockets of infection, regenerate lost bone or tissue, or address severe gum recession.
Top-Quality Periodontal Treatment in Edina, MN
Are you in Edina and suffering from any of the symptoms we’ve discussed above? If you’d like a professional assessment of your periodontal health and possible treatment recommendations, contact dentist Dr. Andrew Anderson and our skilled and caring 50th and France Dental Care team to schedule a consultation!