Aug
Gum disease affects so many people who are unaware of it, how can you be sure that your smile is not affected? You cannot know for sure on your own, so you will have to visit your dentist to find out.
Though gum disease often goes unnoticed, that doesn’t mean there aren’t symptoms that can alert you to the problem. In fact, many symptoms of gum disease are often dismissed until more severe stages of the disease. Early signs of gum disease may include swollen, red, or even bleeding gums. Your gum line may recede if you have gum disease, leaving your teeth looking longer and the roots of your teeth may be exposed so that they are sensitive to hot, cold, and sweet things. Bad breath can also be a sign of gum disease, so, if you have been struggling with this, it is possible gum disease is to blame. Finally, as it begins to ruin your smile, you may notice that your teeth feel loose or are shifting out of place, or you may even have sores in your mouth.
Your dentist is your best defense against gum disease. Even excellent oral hygiene habits at home will usually fall short, as it is difficult to reach certain parts of your smile and plaque is bound to build up somewhere. Allowing your dentist to clean your teeth regularly will ensure that plaque does not spread beneath the gums. Even if it has already begun to do this and cause gum disease, the dentist can easily begin treatment in the earliest stages and restore a healthy smile if you keep doing your part.
If you let gum disease run its course, you will probably be on the road to a toothless smile before long. Make sure you are fighting off this common dental problem with the help of your dentist in Bloomington so that he or she can begin treating gum disease before it’s too late for your smile.
Eastland Dental Center is owned and operated by the father-daughter duo, Dr. Mike Milligan and Dr. Marisa Milligan.
Dr. Mike completed his doctor of dental medicine degree from Southern Illinois University in 1978. Dr. Marisa completed her doctor of dental medicine degree from Midwestern University in 2015. Both doctors have logged hundreds of hours of continuing education to stay on top of the latest technologies in dentistry as well as the most current research on the oral-systemic, mouth-body connection to benefit their patients. Dr. Mike and Dr. Marisa are active members and in excellent standing with the American Dental Association, Illinois State Dental Association, Chicago Dental Society, McLean County Dental Association, American Academy of Oral Systemic Health, and numerous other societies.
Both doctors are avid golfers and have won several national golf tournaments over the years. They are the only father-daughter team in the state to have won the Illinois State Amateur Golf Championship. Dr. Mike in 1974 and Dr. Marisa in 2005.