At Todays Dental @ Cayce, we believe your gums play an equally important role in your oral health as your teeth and tongue. Unfortunately, gum health is often overlooked until bleeding, swelling, or discomfort begins.
Ignoring early signs can allow minor gum issues to progress into serious periodontal problems affecting the bone and tissues that support your teeth. Our goal is to help patients at Todays Dental @ Cayce understand gum diseases early and take proactive steps to protect their smile.
Gum diseases are pathological conditions that affect the periodontal tissues, including the gums and the underlying bone support of the teeth.
Diseased gums may appear red, bluish, swollen, or may bleed. In advanced cases, gums can enlarge and partially cover the tooth crown.
The two most common gum diseases we diagnose at Todays Dental @ Cayce include:
Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums and is commonly associated with poor oral hygiene or underlying systemic conditions.
Factors such as pregnancy, metabolic changes, stress, and changes in water supply can contribute to chronic gingivitis.
Common signs of gingivitis include:
Gingivitis may be generalized, affecting the entire mouth, or localized, limited to specific areas.
When gum inflammation extends deeper and affects the supporting bone and tissues of the teeth, it progresses into periodontitis, a more serious condition.
Clinical features of periodontitis include:
At Todays Dental @ Cayce, early detection of periodontal disease is critical to preventing permanent damage.
Several factors influence the severity and progression of gum disease:
Patients with compromised immunity or uncontrolled medical conditions are at higher risk for severe periodontal disease.
Preventive care is a core focus at Todays Dental @ Cayce. Gum diseases can often be avoided through consistent oral hygiene and healthy lifestyle choices.
Preventive steps include:
Oral health and general health are closely connected, and caring for both plays a vital role in gum disease prevention.
At Todays Dental @ Cayce, our dental team provides comprehensive gum care using evidence-based approaches.
We focus on patient education, early diagnosis, and supportive periodontal care to ensure long-term oral health for you and your family.
If you experience symptoms such as bleeding gums, swelling, or discomfort, timely evaluation at Todays Dental @ Cayce can help prevent disease progression.
If you’re concerned about your gum health or want to maintain a healthy smile, schedule a consultation with Todays Dental @ Cayce.
Your oral health is in safe hands at Todays Dental @ Cayce.
Bleeding or receding gums? Periodontal (deep gum) treatment stops gum disease in the chair, and Perio Protect at-home trays keep it away between visits. Call 803-233-6141.
Early gum disease usually shows as red, puffy gums that bleed when you brush or floss, along with persistent bad breath. At this stage, called gingivitis, the inflammation is limited to the gum tissue and there is no bone loss yet. Because it is often painless, many people ignore it. Gingivitis is reversible with professional cleaning and consistent home care.
Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums caused by plaque, and it is reversible because the bone and ligament supporting the tooth are still intact. Periodontitis is the more advanced stage, where the infection has destroyed some of that supporting bone and created pockets around the teeth. The bone loss in periodontitis is not reversible, though the disease can be controlled.
Gingivitis can be fully reversed with professional cleaning and daily brushing and flossing, and the gums usually recover within a couple of weeks. Once the disease has progressed to periodontitis and bone has been lost, the goal shifts to stopping further damage through deep cleaning, improved home care, and regular maintenance visits rather than restoring what has already been lost.
Plaque left on the teeth is the main cause, but several factors raise the risk. Smoking and tobacco use, poorly controlled diabetes, hormonal changes, certain medications that reduce saliva, genetics, stress, and a diet high in sugar all make gum disease more likely or more severe. Crowded teeth and old restorations can also make plaque harder to clean away.
Brush twice a day for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste along the gumline, clean between the teeth daily with floss or interdental brushes, and keep up regular professional cleanings so hardened tartar is removed. Not smoking, managing conditions such as diabetes, and limiting sugary snacks all help. Report bleeding gums early rather than assuming that bleeding is normal.
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1305 Knox Abbott Dr suite 101, Cayce, SC 29033, USA
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