Do your gums bleed when you brush your teeth, floss, or eat certain foods? If so, schedule an appointment with your dental care professional—allowing the problem to get worse could result in the need for oral surgery. Bleeding gums tend to be a sign of inflammation, an early symptom of gingivitis. Left unattended, this condition can lead to infections and tooth loss. 

Your Guide to Gum Inflammation

How Does It Develop?

People sometimes develop gingivitis when they don’t practice effective oral hygiene. Bacteria from your teeth can affect the surrounding tissue, leading to swelling and tenderness. While gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease, it can progress and create more substantial problems. When major gum disease isn’t properly addressed, you risk losing teeth. If your condition reaches this stage, dental surgery may be required to treat the issue.

How Is It Treated?

If you notice inflammation in your gums, then brush and floss your teeth thoroughly at least twice a day every day. If practicing good oral hygiene is not enough to halt the progression of gum disease, you need to make an appointment with a dental care center or oral surgery clinic for an expert evaluation.

The oral health professionals will take a close look at your mouth to determine the best course of treatment. Some patients only need an in-depth teeth cleaning and recommendation for toothpaste products designed to treat gum disease. However, if you have already lost teeth, the expert will recommend cosmetic dental care treatments like dentures or implants to restore your smile.

How Can You Prevent It?

The best way to avoid these problems is to visit your dentist on a regular basis. They’ll identify the early signs of gum inflammation and provide treatments to keep the condition from getting worse.

Whether you are at risk of developing severe gum disease or have already lost teeth, there is a team of oral surgeons who can help you protect your health. Offering dental surgery services to patients in the Anchorage area, Oral Surgery Associates of Alaska provides the treatments you need to keep your gums healthy. Contact them online or call (907) 561-1430 to schedule an appointment.