Gums are not the first thing most people think of when dentistry is mentioned. Yet, healthy gums are needed for a healthy smile. Gum problems are much like a house with a foundation that is slowly being eroded away. The problem is not noticeable for quite a while. Then, the shifting starts, leading to eventual collapse. Gum disease begins with no apparent problem. Eventually, occasional bleeding is noticed, and a soreness at times. The gums start to recede, and eventually the teeth become unstable. Then the collapse occurs.
Reality is that studies show over 88% of the population have gum disease. There is now scientific evidence linking gum disease to heart disease, diabetes, and other systemic problems. The good news is that preventative treatment virtually eliminates it. If the disease is caught during its early stages, it is relatively easy to treat. If it is caught in the later stages, with aggressive, persistent treatment, results are still often good. But treatment IS necessary, or tooth loss is inevitable.
For this reason, one of the first procedures done with every new patient in our office, is a gum evaluation. There is little purpose to diagnose and treat the teeth if the gums are not in proper condition to support them. Our hygienist is the part of our dental team professionally dedicated to the health of your gum tissue. She is your partner in keeping the "foundation" of your mouth healthy.
