Many Americans suffer from periodontal disease, or the term for the inflammation and infection of the gums. Almost half of all Americans over the age of 30 currently deal with these conditions! So if you have noticed your gums pull back from the teeth, or if they have started to become red or swollen, please speak with a trained oral health professional as soon as you can.
The embarrassment that can come with this can be serious, and lead people to avoid treatment. Don’t let this be you, as proactive care can mean all the difference for you and your smile. Today, your Fort Bliss, TX dentist explains how common grafting may solve your periodontal problem!
A Common Issue
Periodontal disease is incredibly common, and should not cause you any concern or shame in treating your oral health issues. It may seem easier to alter the way that you speak, or learn to smile without opening your mouth. But that does not address the underlying concern, which will continue to progress without the intervention of a trained professional.
Also, if you are noticing blood in the sink when you brush your teeth, give your dentist a call. Our gum tissue should be sturdy enough to withstand a rigorous brushing. This is more likely due to the inflammation of the tissue relating to infection.
Patients often believe that they are brushing too hard, possibly causing the recession themselves. Once again, this is typically unlikely, and ignoring brushing an area with infection will only further the bacterial growth. Tackling this head-on can mean saving more of your natural material, relying less on surgery to correct things.
That Seems Scary!
The concept of surgery can bring very negative feelings for people at first. They imagine what they have seen on television, and compare things like open heart surgery, and it can be overwhelming. But it is important to remember that surgical procedures encompass a broad selection of possibilities. The term itself refers to moving biological tissue manually, which occurs frequently in the mouth, in situations both large and small.
You will most likely require a form of graft in order to solve this infection, and there are two common forms that you should be familiar with. The first is a free gingival graft, and it starts with the cleaning of the site. Any damaged or diseased tissue will be removed, in order to prevent reinfection. Then, your healthy matter is stretched to a healthy level and attached to the tooth.
It is possible that you will need your dentist to remove more tissue than can be replaced using what is available at that location. If that is the case, then a transplant site can do the job. Usually, a strip of periodontal tissue comes from the roof of the mouth or the soft palate, then placed at the affected area.
With both of these procedures, a soft diet and observation over the next week is usually all that is required. But of course, always heed the guidance of your dental professional!
CALL US TODAY!
If you’re struggling with the alignment of your teeth, don’t wait. Call the staff at Fort Bliss Family Dentistry in Fort Bliss, TX today at (915)895-3678 and schedule an appointment!
