Uncontrollable bad breath Red gums Swollen gums Tender gums Bleeding gums Painful chewing Loose teeth Sensitive teeth Receding gums
If you get regular cleanings, you dentist will probably spot the signs of gum loss even before you do. Most insurance plans cover a cleaning every 6 months. [4] X Expert Source Tu Anh Vu, DMDBoard Certified Dentist Expert Interview. 10 April 2020. If you don’t have insurance you will have to pay for the appointment out of pocket. However, this type of preventative care can save you a lot of money in the long run. If you think that your gums are receding, you should make an appointment to be seen by your dentist as soon as possible. Your dentist can assess the state of your gums, clean your teeth, and make recommendations about the treatment that you need. [5] X Research source
By smoothing out the surface area of the tooth, bacteria will have a hard time attaching to the surface in the future.
You may be prescribed either an oral antibiotic or a topical antibiotic that you apply directly to the infected area.
Gum tissue surgery can be done by a dentist or periodontist. However, you may want to be referred to a periodontist for this procedure. This is a specialized dentist who is an expert in treating gum disease. After the surgery you will be given care directions from your dentist. Typically these include not brushing or flossing the area until it is healed and rinsing your mouth with a special mouthwash several times a day. [9] X Research source
In order to regenerate the bone, your dentist may place a protective mesh in the area of bone loss to allow the bone to regrow. They may also insert synthetic or donated bone pieces to help the bone to regrow. [11] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Your dentist will take X-rays of your teeth to assess whether you have bone loss due to the loss of gum tissue. You will receive detailed instructions for aftercare from your dentist. This will include a schedule for taking pain killers and antibiotics, information about a eating a soft diet until the area is healed, and keeping the area clean and undisturbed. [12] X Research source
There are some electric toothbrushes that will give you a warning when you are pushing too hard. If you have a history of brushing too hard, this might be a good product to invest in.
Be sure to use a toothpaste that has fluoride in it. If you really want to keep your teeth clean, begin brushing your teeth after each meal.
There are also special picks and brushes that your dentist may recommend for cleaning between your teeth.
Signs that you are grinding your teeth include a sore jaw or face, chipped or flattened teeth, tooth pain, and an unexplained headache. [19] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Many people choose to wear their bite guard at night, when teeth grinding can occur involuntarily.
Saliva protects the gums from bacteria and plaque build up, so having too little of it can impact your gum health.
There are a variety of routes you can take to stop smoking. When you are making your plan to quit, remember that most people have more success quitting smoking if they are engaged in a smoking cessation program and if they use aids to ease their withdrawal.
If you are unwilling to remove a piercing permanently, at least take it out when you can. Sleeping without it or taking it out for a few hours a day will reduce the wear and tear on your gums.
There are also cases in which the treatment for certain diseases can impact your gum health. If you are receiving treatment for HIV, AIDS, or cancer, your gums could be impacted. Talk to your doctor about how best to control these diseases and the impact their treatment can have on your gums.
A family history of gum problems Old age Pregnancy Puberty Menopause
