Being proactive about your oral health should be an ongoing priority for you throughout your life. One simple way to ensure this is by scheduling a dental cleaning in Winnipeg and check-up every six months at your dentist in West st Paul. If you think you are susceptible to developing oral health issues, such as gum disease, it is important to recognize and understand how it can affect your overall health. Still, many of us are unaware that the development of gum disease is multidimensional. Apart from causing discomfort when eating, bleeding while brushing, and having swollen gums, there are other symptoms that you should look out for.
When Is it Time to Visit Your Winnipeg Dental Clinic
When a patient is diagnosed with gum disease, your dentist will examine your mouth for the following signs:
1. Bleeding Gums:
This is an occurrence of gum swelling, red gums, or sore gums, which may also be accompanied by bleeding. If your gums bleed anytime you brush or floss your teeth that could be a sign of gum disease. If you do not floss regularly, the presence of bacteria buildup underneath the gums can cause bleeding of the gums as a result.
If the problem persists, the bleeding most likely will worsen and the gums grow increasingly sensitive. It’s common to ask your Winnipeg dentist if you should stop flossing when your gums bleed. The problem is that if you don’t floss, the fibers attached to the gum tissue will deteriorate, this is caused by the plaque. This plaque contains bacteria that cause the same inflammation in your gums.
There is a need to understand that bleeding gums should be given proper attention because it can not only lead to discomfort but many more serious problems.
For the purpose of measuring the severity of the bleeding gums, your Winnipeg dentist will perform an exam. Note that the following are stages of bleeding gums:
- Bleeding after or during brushing.
- Frequent bleeding of the gums.
- The occurrence of bleeding on its own.
- Darkening of the gum.
2. Gum Recession and Pocketing:
Gum recession causes the teeth to appear “long” due to the fact that the gums surrounding the tooth root are gradually receding. When gum recession occurs, it is an indication that gum disease is in fact progressing. Gum pocketing differs from gum recession as it the creation of a hole that surrounds the gum. Over time, this makes the removal of debris more difficult when flossing and brushing.
If gum pockets are present, your Winnipeg dentist will measure them by “probing”. The probe is placed between the tooth and the gums to establish where the gum attachment begins. Your Winnipeg dentist will take measurements for each tooth, a healthy range is between 1mm and 3mm. Your Winnipeg dental clinic will keep an ongoing record of this for monitoring purposes. Maintaining a healthy period on time and preventing periodontal disease and tooth loss is the ultimate goal.
3. Tooth Sensitivity:
Tooth sensitivity is usually a result of gum pocketing. In some cases, sensitivity can be a sign of gum disease. When this occurs, the gums are heavily inflamed, and the root surface of the tooth is exposed. The exposure of the root makes the tooth more susceptible to decay, tooth sensitivity, and loss of the damaged tooth.
Tooth sensitivity occurs when consuming cold or hot beverages. However, it is important to note that when symptoms begin to show, there is a need to visit your Winnipeg dentist immediately.
4. High Blood Sugar:
The higher the content of sugar present in the blood, the higher the chance you have of developing type 2 diabetes. The link between gum disease and type 2 diabetes is two-directional. Individuals with type 2 diabetes have a higher chance of developing gum disease and progressing at a faster rate. It is important that your dentist is aware of whether you have type 2 diabetes or not.
The following are signs of high blood sugar:
- Increased thirst.
- Headaches.
- Trouble concentrating or mind fog.
- Impaired or blurred vision.
- Frequent urination.
- Fatigue or loss of energy (weak, tired feeling).
- Unexplained weight loss.