In today’s blog, we’re going to discuss a pretty common problem that your average dentist sees on a pretty regular basis, but it’s also one that doesn’t seem to get too much attention—gum disease.
You already know that here at the Morton Ranch Dental clinic, our goal is to provide dentistry that is minimally invasive. That means that when you have a toothache, you don’t have to worry that we’re immediately going to suggest the most painful or expensive procedure. That’s not how we roll at all! In fact, our goal is to let you know exactly what’s going on and give you little to worry about during the process.
That’s why when you visit dentist Mike Seo, if there are signs of gum disease, we’ll let you know exactly what your next steps are before just jumping in.
What is Gum Disease?
To put it simply, it’s when your gums are overrun with bacteria and get inflamed, potentially causing you to lose your teeth. Luckily for you, it’s a very common disease and it’s also pretty treatable. In fact, 75% of Americans are likely to have gingivitis.
Do I Have Gum Disease?
When plaque builds up on your teeth due to a lack of proper oral care, it’s possible that gum disease may develop. If your gums are tender or swollen, that’s a good sign that there could be a potential problem. A really good indicator that something isn’t right is if your gums bleed when you go about your normal brushing routine.
What Can I Do?
Well, fortunately, it’s simple as long as your gum disease isn’t too far advanced and most of it is common sense. Make sure that you brush at least twice a day and (yes, we know you hate it, but) make sure that you get a chance to floss at least once. It’s also a great idea to start using an antiseptic mouthwash in order to get to those hard-to-reach places in your mouth.
The last piece of the puzzle is making it a point to see your dentist on a regular basis. Hopefully our cheerful attitudes and smiling faces make a regular dental visit a part of your routine already, but if that’s not the case, it should be. No, we’re not out to get all of the money we can from you—we just genuinely care about your dental health and we’d love to prevent bigger problems from developing down the road.
One last thing to note is that if you notice that your teeth are loose, that you can’t seem to ditch your bad breath, or your gums are pulling back from your teeth, you need to see us right away.
What You Can Expect From the Dentist
It’s probably different at other dentist’s offices around the country, but here at the Morton Ranch Dental clinic, we want you to know that we’re not going to embarrass you or make you feel bad about what’s going on in your mouth. To be honest, the most people know about dental hygiene is that they should brush and floss regularly. The depth of their knowledge ends there.
And you know what? That’s okay! We’re the professionals and that’s what we’re here for—to help you ensure that your mouth only gets the best.
Ready to schedule an appointment? Don’t hesitate to contact us online. We’d love nothing more than to get you started on the path away from gum disease and towards complete and total dental health. When you need a dentist, put your trust in the team at Morton Ranch Dental. We look forward to seeing you!