Periodontal disease, or gum disease, can be incredibly concerning and lead to other, more severe oral health issues if left untreated for an extended amount of time. Consequently, it is important to fully understand the various signs and symptoms of periodontal disease in order to be able to spot periodontal disease as soon as it develops and to seek prompt treatment.
The symptoms of periodontal disease are usually progressive and have a fairly slow onset, which is why it is important to thoroughly check your gums on a routine basis. When checking the gums for symptoms of periodontal disease, look for the following common signs.
The most prevalent symptom of periodontal disease — and the one that is usually the first to exist — is swollen gums. When the gums are subject to bacteria and other harmful substances, they become weak and vulnerable to infection, which causes them to swell. In addition to the swelling, the gums are likely to become a much brighter red in the early stages of periodontal disease, and more serious signs of periodontal disease are likely to follow in the absence of treatment.
Bleeding gums is one of the more well-known symptoms of periodontal disease. When gum disease develops, the gums almost always are vulnerable to bleeding during one’s daily care routine. If gums begin to bleed while brushing, flossing, or eating, it is important to visit the dentist for the diagnosis and effective treatment of periodontal disease to ensure the symptoms do not worsen.
Receding gums are a more serious symptom of gum disease that should be treated with a sense of urgency. While it is not indicative of any long-term effects, receding gums can quickly be followed by teeth becoming loose, which can cause a need for invasive dental procedures to avoid tooth loss. Receding gums makes the tooth appear longer, and it can often be hard to notice. Be sure to check for signs of receding gums each day, and visit the dentist if your gums are believed to be receding.
Gum disease is often caused by an accumulation of plaque and tartar — which contains bacteria — on the gums and gum line. When this buildup of bacteria occurs, it can give off a bad odor and cause bad breath. If bad breath exists with other symptoms of periodontal disease, a trip to the dentist for diagnosis and treatment is likely required.
Periodontal disease can eventually lead to complete tooth loss if the earlier symptoms of periodontal disease are ignored and not properly treated. Before tooth loss occurs, however, the teeth will become loose, which usually takes place after the gums are weakened and recession of the gums occurs. If teeth are loose due to periodontal disease, it is incredibly important to visit the dentist as soon as possible to try and save the tooth from becoming lost, resulting in the need for expensive teeth replacement procedures.
The recommended treatment option for periodontal disease depends on the stage in which it is diagnosed; gingivitis is far easier to treat than periodontitis. Here is a more detailed look at how a dental professional may treat periodontal disease.
Gingivitis is a less severe form of periodontal disease. Swollen gums, bleeding gums, and gum irritation are the most common symptoms of gingivitis. Since gum recession is not typically severe with gingivitis, it is easier to treat. Often, all that is necessary is improvements in the patient’s oral care routine and a routine dental cleaning. In other cases, an antibacterial mouthwash prescription and/or scaling and root planing procedure may be recommended.
Periodontitis is a progressive form of periodontal disease that most often causes gum recession and deep gum pockets. Periodontitis treatment usually begins with scaling and root planing; this cleans beneath the gum line to remove plaque and tartar. A gum graft procedure may also be necessary for severe gum recession. Deep gum pockets may need to be treated with pocket reduction surgery in more severe cases.
If you have symptoms of periodontal disease such as those discussed above, then we encourage you to call our office today to schedule a visit. We are more than happy to assist you in determining the status of your oral health and the best treatment plan for periodontal disease.
Request an appointment here: https://www.thedentalplaceofoaklandpark.com or call The Dental Place Of Oakland Park at 9548740832 for an appointment in our Oakland Park office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Gum Disease in Oakland Park, FL.
Most people have experienced seeing red on the bristles of their toothbrush, or a pink tint in the sink when they expectorate after brushing. It is normal to feel a bit of concern when noticing blood in the mouth because bleeding gums are a symptom commonly associated with gum disease. However, while chronic bleeding gums…
Dentists recommend proper oral hygiene from a young age to achieve good dental health for a lifetime. This is important for cosmetic reasons, but also to maintain overall health. One of the consequences of not brushing and flossing correctly is gum disease, which is also known as periodontal disease. This condition originally affects the gums,…
Gum disease is a bacterial infection that causes inflammation in the gums and bone surrounding the teeth. The resulting inflammation causes bone loss and eventually, tooth loss, and it can contribute to other health problems. Once a patient has been diagnosed with gum disease (periodontal disease), prompt treatment is necessary to address the condition. Most…
Healthy oral habits can prevent issues that may lead to infections such as gum disease. This problem, also known as gingivitis, can be common in both children and adults; however, if it is left untreated, it may worsen and cause serious discomfort or cause secondary infections within the body. Oral treatments such as scaling and…