Many people think their teeth are the most important structures in their mouth, but teeth wouldn’t be able to stick around without healthy gums. Your gums play a hugely important role in your smile, and if you ignore them you could end up replacing your teeth with dental implants in Kent.
Parrock Dental and Implant Centre provide preventative dental care aimed at keeping your gums healthy, so you can retain your natural teeth for as long as possible. This is one reason why we recommend you visit Dr Rik Trivedi, or another dentist in Gravesend at regular intervals, as the early signs of gum disease can be easy to dismiss or ignore. We can pick up on these signs and will work out a treatment plan to help restore your gums to health.
Unhealthy gums may exhibit some of the following signs:
- The colour of your gums may look darker than you remember
- You notice blood on your toothbrush, and it might be painful to floss
- Your gums appear to be squidgy or squashy when you touch them, and they could feel tender or sore
- Your teeth might appear to be longer than before due to gum recession
- You may develop halitosis, or bad breath
It is worth taking note of these early signs, and booking an appointment for a check-up. However some people may have few signs of the disease, and this is one reason why it is often referred to as being silent. This can often be the case with smokers, as smoking causes the blood vessels in the gums to constrict, so they are less able to bleed. Smokers are also more at risk of developing gum disease as these constricted blood vessels are also less able to deliver vitamins and other nutrients to the gums that could help them to fight off the infection and to heal.
When caught early, gum disease can be quite successfully treated, provided you are prepared to look after your gums through thoroughly brushing and flossing them each day. If you choose not to, then early gum disease, or gingivitis, can develop into periodontitis. This affects the gums and the underlying structures, including the ligaments and bone, and can be very destructive. Gum disease is the main cause of tooth loss, so if you would rather avoid dental implants it is best to look after your gums.
If you haven’t visited us for a while, or are simply on the lookout for a new dentist, then why not give us a call? You can book an appointment on 01474 537191. Alternatively you can request a call back on our website at www.parrockdental.co.uk