Gum disease often goes undetected in people. Some people discover they have gum disease when they go to see their Dentists Mankato MN for routine appointments. These appointments should take place every six months. If you have problems that occur between appointments, schedule an emergency visit. An example of this type of visit would be if you noticed that your gums had started bleeding. Keep in mind that bleeding gums are usually a sign that gum disease is present. The sooner you address this issue, the more likely you are to keep your gum disease from reaching the advanced stages.
Dentists Mankato MN agree that treating gum disease in its early stages is much easier and less invasive than measures taken when advanced gum disease occurs. In the advanced stages, patients may experience tooth loss. They may also have to undergo cosmetic dentistry procedures such as gum grafts or even dental crowns.
It is important for you to know how what gum disease is and what it does. Dentists Mankato MN refer to this disease as periodontal disease. Bacteria invade the gums. If the bacteria is not eradicated, it can deteriorate the roots of teeth. It may also cause the underlying bone tissue to waste away. Your teeth need bone tissue to stay in place. Even if you needed a procedure such as dental implants later in life, you will need to have adequate bone tissue to support the prosthetic teeth. Sometimes dentists can help patients regenerate bone tissue by performing bone grafts.
In extreme cases of periodontal disease, dentists will recommend that patients have teeth extracted. Some people may have to get all of their teeth extracted. Others may only need certain teeth extracted. These extractions are usually done if Dentists Mankato MN feel as though leaving the teeth in place could affect patients’ overall health. Advanced stages of gum disease can cause abscesses to form. This is is an infection that can spread into the bloodstream and cause significant health problems. Many dentists give patients antimicrobial medications during gum disease treatments, and they may prescribe antibiotics to be taken during the healing process.