Before your orthodontist in California, MD, puts your braces on, he or she will need to ensure that your gums are healthy. When your gums are healthy, you will have a more favorable treatment outcome when your braces are removed. Here are some ways your orthodontist can identify unhealthy gum tissue so that it can be treated prior to getting your braces.
Bleeding Upon Probing
When your orthodontist performs an examination with a dental probe, he or she will gently press on your gums. While a small amount of bleeding is not uncommon during a probing dental examination, heavy or uncontrollable bleeding may mean that you have gum disease. Before your orthodontist begins your treatment, he or she may refer you to a periodontist for further evaluation and necessary treatment.
Intense Redness
Healthy gum tissue is pink and firm. If your orthodontist in California, MD, notices that your gums are red and swollen, he or she will suspect gum disease. Another telltale sign of gum disease that may accompany red and inflamed gums is drainage, which often indicates the presence of periodontitis. Also known as pyorrhea, symptoms of periodontitis include receding gums, pus pockets in the gum tissue, red or purple gums, an unpleasant taste in the mouth, and bleeding gums. Your dentist may prescribe oral antibiotics for your periodontitis to eliminate the bacterial infection responsible for your symptoms.
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