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Gum Disease in Palm Springs, CA
Dental X-rays are an important part of routine dental care! X-rays allow our Palm Springs dental professionals to see detailed images of your teeth, mouth, and soft tissues, revealing different aspects of your oral health. Here is a description of the types of x-rays used by the Tahquitz Dental Group Palm Springs:
There is no substitute for your own natural teeth! Even the best dental appliances are still just synthetic replacements. Preventing tooth loss and maintaining oral health are therefore two primary goals of our Palm Springs dentist. One key strategy to ensure the longevity of your teeth is to prevent gingivitis and periodontitis, commonly known as gum disease.
How Implants Work
The onset of gum disease is marked by the accumulation of plaque – a sticky bacterial film that coats your teeth every day. Plaque is cleared by brushing and flossing, but it re-establishes itself quickly, usually within minutes to hours. If left unchecked for several days, plaque solidifies into tartar or calculus, a hard substance that protects bacterial breeding grounds.
Plaque and tartar sitting on your teeth for long periods of time has a damaging effect. Your gums become irritated, leading to inflammation — the condition referred to as gingivitis. If this inflammation persists without treatment, pockets develop between your teeth and gums. They collect more plaque, tartar, and bacteria. Left untreated, the inflamed gum pockets deepen, and the oral infection spirals out of control. Now you have periodontitis.
As the bacteria works its way deeper, tissue and bone start to degrade. Left ignored, gum disease ends in tooth loss.
Indications and Symptoms of Gum Disease
It’s crucial to understand that some individuals endure periodontal (gum) disease without displaying all the symptoms. Nevertheless, pay attention for the following signs:
- Bleeding gums: If brushing causes bleeding, this is a sign of gum disease.
- Bad breath: Bacterial accumulation between your teeth and gums due to plaque build-up causes halitosis.
- Red or swollen gums: Inflamed gums are an early sign of gum disease. Healthy gums are a light pink color, not red.
- Receding gums: If your teeth appear increasingly exposed, the cause is gradual gum recession caused by gum disease. (Oral jewelry also irritates the gums and causes gum recession.)
- Sensitivity: Exposure of tooth roots (owing to receding gums) might make them sensitive to hot and cold temperatures.
- Periodontal abscess: A periodontal pocket may fill with pus, causing swelling and discomfort.
- Loose teeth: Advanced gum disease, called periodontitis, leads to bone loss and results in loosened, lost, or shifting teeth.
Recommended Action
Home remedies (like oil pulling) are not enough to cure gum disease. If you have any of the symptoms mentioned above, consult your dentist immediately to receive treatments that save your teeth and gums! Time lost leads to wasted teeth!
Contact the Tahquitz Dental Group Palm Springs today, and we will gladly schedule an appointment as soon as possible to cure your case of gum disease.