rfd-logo
616-942-9595
  • Home
  • Meet Dr. Robson
    • Meet the Team

      • Meet Dr. Robson
      • Meet Dr. Trapp
      • Blog
    • Close
  • Patient Education
  • General
    • General Dentistry

      • Hygiene Visits
      • Oral Cancer Screening
      • In-Office Technology
      • Tooth-Colored Fillings and Root Canals
      • Extractions
      • Pediatric Dentistry
      • Hygiene Visits
      • In-Office Technology
      • Tooth-Colored Fillings and Root Canals
      • Wisdom Tooth Extractions
      • Pediatric Dentistry
    • Close
  • Cosmetic
    • Cosmetic Dentistry

      • Porcelain Veneers
      • Teeth Whitening / Bleaching
      • Dental Implants
      • Crowns and Bridges
      • Full Mouth Restorations
      • The Benefits of Smiling
      • Caring for Your Dental Implants
          • Porcelain Veneers
          • Teeth Whitening / Bleaching
          • Dental Implants
          • Crowns and Bridges
          • Full Mouth Restorations
    • Close
  • Cost & Finance
  • Contact
      • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
    • Close

Don’t Let Gum Disease Destroy Your Smile

July 13, 2017Dr. Robsonoral health

healthygumsinfoAccording to a study in the Journal of Dental Research, over 47% of Americans over the age of 30 suffer from gum disease. That’s almost 65 million people! And it get worse as we grow older.  More than 70% of Americans beyond the age of 65 have contracted this destructive disease.

What is Gum Disease?

Gum disease is an infection that can wreak havoc on your smile.  It’s caused by bacteria that feeds on the plaque and tartar in you mouth. Plaque is the film that develops on your teeth after a meal.  

You should make sure you remove plaque through a daily regimen of oral health which includes brushing, flossing, and mouthwash.  Plaque that remains on your teeth will harden and become tartar, the rough substance that your dental hygienist scrapes off your teeth when you get them cleaned.

Are There Different Types of Gum Disease?

You may have heard gum disease referred to as gingivitis or periodontitis. These aren’t different diseases–they are actually different stages of gum disease. The three stages of gum disease are:

  • Gingivitis
  • Periodontitis
  • Advanced Periodontitis

How Do I Know if I Have Gingivitis?

Gingivitis is the least destructive stage of gum disease. But if it isn’t treated in a timely fashion, it can turn into periodontitis or even advanced periodontitis. Only your dentist can tell for sure if you have gum disease. So you should see Dr. Robson right away if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms of gingivitis:  

  • Red, swollen, sensitive, or bleeding gums
  • You notice gaps developing between your teeth and gums
  • Brushing causes bleeding
  • Pus seeps from gums
  • Unpleasant-smelling breath

How Can I Tell if I Have Periodontitis or Advanced Periodontitis?

If you don’t see Dr. Robson to get treatment for gingivitis, it can develop into periodontitis or even advanced periodontitis.  At this point, the infection has progressed deep into your gums. You must see your dentist immediately or you risk doing serious damage to your smile.  Symptoms of periodontitis and advanced periodontitis include:

  • Brushing causes severe pain in addition to bleeding
  • Loose teeth
  • Red pockets of pus form around the base of your teeth
  • Teeth move around in your jawbone
  • Your breath is extremely bad
  • Gums are bright red and sensitive to the touch
  • Chewing becomes extremely painful
  • Teeth no longer fit together when you bite down
  • Teeth fall out

See Your Dentist Right Away

Do any of the symptoms mentioned in this article apply to you?  If so, please contact our office to schedule an appointment right away.  

Tags: gingivitis, Gum disease, periodontitis, plaque, tartar

Recent Posts

  • Foods to Choose for a Healthy Smile
  • Foods That Threaten Your Smile
  • Dentistry for the Whole Family
  • Caring for Your Dental Implants
  • Root Canal Surgery

Recent Comments

    Archives

    • April 2018
    • March 2018
    • February 2018
    • January 2018
    • November 2017
    • September 2017
    • August 2017
    • July 2017
    • June 2017
    • May 2017

    Categories

    • Dental hygienist
    • dental implants
    • dentistry
    • Family Dentistry
    • oral health
    • Root Canal Surgery

    Meta

    • Log in
    • Entries RSS
    • Comments RSS
    • WordPress.org
    • Home
    • Meet Dr. Robson
    • Blog
    • Patient Education
    • General Dentistry
    • Cosmetic Dentistry
    • Cost & Finance
    • Contact
    • Sitemap

    Robson Family Dental

    Dr. William Robson

    2355 East Paris Ave
    Grand Rapids, MI 49546

    (616) 942-9595

    © 2017 Robson Family Dental.
    Designed and Developed by Now Media Group