While preventive dental care like routine checkups and cleanings should always be scheduled regularly, others are designed to address specific problems as they arise, and before they can grow more severe. For example, when patients at our Ankeny, IA, dental office exhibit signs of gingivitis, or early gum disease, we often recommend custom perio treatment to address the problem as early as possible.
Your gums seem to be receding
Gingivitis is caused by certain types of oral bacteria infecting your gum tissues. If allowed to, they’ll work their way underneath your gums and form plaque and tartar on your teeth roots, releasing toxins that irritate your gums. If we notice that your periodontal pockets (the space between your gum tissues and teeth roots) have grown deeper, then gingivitis might be the reason why.
Your gums bleed at the sink
When you brush and floss your teeth, your toothbrush and floss put slight pressure on your gums. When gum disease is present, this pressure can cause the compromised tissues to bleed slightly, and you may notice small amounts of blood mixed in with your toothpaste and saliva. This may not be accompanied by any noticeable discomfort or sensitivity, but it’s a worrisome symptom nonetheless, and you should seek perio treatment as soon as possible if you notice it.
Your gums seem to be changing color
In addition to gum recession and bleeding, the development and progression of gum disease can also cause your gum tissues to grow darker in certain areas. The change in color can hint at where the disease is most prominent, though your dentist will need to perform a thorough examination to determine the total extent of it.
Find out if you need periodontal treatment
If you exhibit these or other common signs of gum disease, then we may recommend undergoing periodontal treatment at our office as soon as possible. To find out if you need perio treatment, schedule a consultation by calling Dental Impressions in Ankeny, IA immediately at (515) 965-0230. We also proudly serve patients who live in Alleman, Elkhart, Bondurant, and all surrounding communities.
