Just as gum disease can be a real problem for your teeth; it can also be an issue if you’re thinking of having dental implants. In Richmond for example here at Sheen Dental we see many patients with gum disease who are looking to have implants fitted. While it isn’t a problem in itself and can be cleared up relatively easily it will need to be treated first and can therefore add a good couple of weeks or a month onto your implant treatment. With this in mind, let’s take a look at some of the early signs that you may have gum disease.
Bleeding gums
There are a number of signs that you may have gum disease and probably one of the most well-known and indeed the most obvious is bleeding gums. It can be caused by a number of reasons but is generally a sign of a buildup of plaque, tartar or calculus that accumulates on your teeth at the gum line. It isn’t normally painful, but is an indication that you have gingivitis (early stages of gum disease).
Bad breath
Often one of the unfortunate signs of dental problems particularly gum disease is bad breath. It can be caused by gasses that are expelled from the bacteria that have built up in between your teeth and although it can be masked temporarily by breath fresheners and mouthwash, the only sure fire way of getting rid of it is to rid your mouth of the bacteria.
Red and swollen gums
If your gums appear to be bright red in colour and feel swollen or tender to the touch, then this is also a good sign that you may have the early stages of gum disease. In addition gums that have receded giving your teeth an almost elongated appearance can also be down to the onset of gingivitis.
The good news is that by regularly brushing and flossing your teeth to maintain good oral hygiene, it is relatively easy to treat the early signs of gum disease and keep it at bay. If plaque does build up, it turns into tartar and cannot then be removed by normal brushing alone. Instead it needs to be removed using specialist tools at your dental clinic. Once the tartar has been removed and the plaque eradicated then gingivitis should become a thing of the past.
If you would like to find out more about gum disease and how it affects undergoing surgery for dental implants in Richmond then contact Sheen Dental on 020 8876 5277 or visit our website at www.sheendental.co.uk
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