There are many advanced solutions that help people restore teeth that have been damaged or lost. These solutions are becoming more and more affordable and efficient, especially with the advent of dental tourism. However, the best cure is to not need a cure in the first place. Preventing gum disease is the key to saving teeth.
One of the common misconceptions about tooth loss is that it’s mostly caused by physical damage. However, the real-world culprit is gum disease, or as your dentist would call it, periodontal disease.
Periodontal disease is actually a group of closely related diseases that affect the periodontal tissues (ie, the gums). The most common one is gingivitis and you can recognize it by the yellow or white plaque that it creates between the teeth and the gums. Bacteria produce this plaque and once it’s formed, only a dentist can safely remove it.
Preventing gum disease can help you avoid many headaches in the future. The first step is to maintain basic oral hygiene. This means brushing your teeth at least twice a day, preferably after every meal, and visiting your dentist once or twice a year.
Go to your dentist at the first sign of gum disease. A dentist can help you get control of gum disease with a number of specialized dental hygiene or surgical procedures that involve removing plaque below the gum line. Here are the most common symptoms of periodontal disease:
- gum redness
- bleeding while brushing or flossing
- receding gum line
- loose teeth
- constant bad breath
- mouth sores
Gum disease typically doesn’t cause much pain or discomfort in the early stages. This is the reason why many patients put off the visit to the dentist. However, if you go to the dentist at the early stages of gum disease, the treatment will be much cheaper and much less painful than if you wait and allow the disease to progress. Untreated gum disease will eventually cause other problems such as inflammation and deep-seated infection.
When the infection reaches the nerve of the tooth, the patient will experience intense pain. This kind of pain is so acute that it makes focusing on normal activities very difficult or impossible. At this point, most patients need endodontic treatment, commonly known as a root canal.
Don’t let this happen to you. Take care of your teeth and gums today and avoid extra expense and pain.
If you are interested in gum disease treatment in Costa Rica, fill out the “Help me Find a Dentist” form. A participating dental specialist will reply to your needs.