You’re getting ready to make an appointment with a cosmetic dentist to discuss porcelain veneers and they’re going to change so much about your smile for the better. But you’ve still been trying to get past the gum disease you were diagnosed with last month.
The truth is, you’re going to need to keep resolving the gum disease issue at the top of your priority list. Keep reading to learn from your dentist in Altavista about what it is, how it can impact your smile, and why it needs to remain your focus before scheduling any cosmetic work.
What Is Gum Disease?
First, it’s important to know you may often see this referred to as periodontal disease or gingivitis. It’s an infection of the tissues that hold your teeth in place. It’s typically caused by poor brushing and flossing habits that allow plaque to build up on the teeth and harden. In advanced stages, periodontal disease can lead to sore, bleeding gums; painful chewing problems; and even tooth loss. When the infection is present, it needs to be resolved before moving forward with cosmetic treatments. Your dentist may suggest deep cleaning or procedures like scaling and root planing.
How Can Gum Disease Affect My Smile?
If you are wondering if you have gingivitis, consider if you are dealing with any of the following symptoms:
- Gums are bright red or purple
- Gums bleed easily when brushing teeth or flossing
- Foul-smelling breath that does not go away even after you brush your teeth
- Pain when chewing
- Swollen gums
- Receding gums
- Loose teeth
- Toothache
Why Does Cosmetic Dentistry Need to Wait Until I Address My Gum Disease?
It is important to completely eradicate periodontal disease before having cosmetic dental work completed. Any of the issues that are present, whether it be decaying, broken, or missing teeth, can all be addressed as soon as the infection is under control. Certain procedures such as the placement of porcelain veneers can make it more difficult to detect cavities or disease, so it is essential that your mouth is free from infection before starting a makeover with cosmetic procedures. It may take months to eliminate gingivitis, but when it’s gone you can move forward with your smile upgrade.
When you are focused on your appearance, you could get your priorities out of order and try to put gum disease on the backburner in favor of a cosmetic procedure. But think about a different example: would you invest a lot into painting the outside of a house that was currently facing an infestation of termites? Certainly not, you’d address the insect issue before the outward appearance. Your dentist will recommend the same course of action for your smile, so be sure to focus on gum disease therapy in Altavista, and then you can move on to porcelain veneers, dental bonding, or any cosmetic treatment you’d like!
About the Practice
At Miller & Wolf Family Dentistry, you can expect a caring dental team ready to provide comprehensive treatment to patients of all ages. Dental insurance is welcome and we’re happy to file insurance claims for all patients. We open at 7:30 a.m. daily in case it helps your busy schedule to make an appointment as early as possible. If you have gum disease, we will help you eliminate it. Then, if you want to move forward with a cosmetic dentistry treatment we offer porcelain veneers, metal-free dental crowns, cosmetic dental bonding, and at-home teeth whitening. To schedule a consultation for any of your oral health needs, visit our website or call (434) 324-8241.