Healthy gums don’t happen by accident and they are just as valuable as healthy teeth for a confident smile. Your gums perform a vital function as they surround and support your pearly whites.
Unfortunately, periodontal disease is one of the biggest factors in tooth loss for adults. Because gum disease itself can be painless, unless you are maintaining routine dental visits, you may not even be aware that you have it.
The main culprit behind gum disease is plaque–a sticky, bacterial film that forms every day on your teeth. The good news is that you can remove plaque through diligent daily brushing and flossing to keep it from hardening into tartar. Once plaque hardens, you will need to have it professionally removed by Dr. Carolyn Yu.
Stopping gum disease is as simple as detecting it early when it is still reversible. This is why routine dental visits are so important. Treatment at this stage includes stepping up your oral hygiene routine–brushing at least twice each day and flossing at least once, followed by a professional dental cleaning.
Advanced gum disease, or periodontitis, leads to the loss of gum tissue and bone which support the teeth. If periodontitis is not treated you may lose teeth. Depending on the severity of the condition, Dr. Carolyn Yu may recommend additional professional dental cleanings, improved at-home oral hygiene, antibiotic treatment, scaling and root planing (deep cleanings), or gum surgery.
If you are concerned about your gums, please call 510.974.2147 today. At Carolyn L. Yu, DDS in Pinole, California, Dr. Carolyn Yu and our team are ready to help you maintain your beautiful, healthy smile!
