Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease is a serious condition that could eventually lead to tooth or bone loss. Many people in America don’t even realize they have it during the early stages. However, if you know what to look for, a few signs can let you know that something isn’t right.
Bleeding Gums
If your gums bleed after brushing, for example, it is likely that your gum tissue is inflamed due to an infection caused by bacterial plaque. Coupled with chronic inflammation from the body’s response to the infection, the unhealthy tissues bleed easily.
Gum Appearance Changes
As the disease progresses, you might notice changes in your gums’ appearance. This could include redness at the gum line, slight swelling or receding gums.
The receding gums expose more of the tooth below the enamel crown and your exposed roots will begin to be painful or sensitive to hot or cold
Loose Teeth
In time, the disease may cause bone loss producing other signs like loose teeth or teeth shifting from their original position.
Chronic Bad Breath
Another sign of gum disease is chronic bad breath. Unhealthy gums provide a medium for bacteria to reproduce and multiply. If you notice a persistent bad taste in your mouth, or that people are shying away from you when you speak to them, a likely culprit is gingivitis, which if not treated can advance to periodontal gum disease.
Acute Abscess
A bit more noticeable than the other signs, an acute abscess occurs when the bacterial infection becomes isolated in a pocket of space between the teeth and gums. As the body attempts to fight the infection, its defenses are overwhelmed and the abscess becomes painful, swollen and filled with pus.
If you notice any of these symptoms, it is important to seek dental care quickly, as to not allow the gum disease to progress, resulting in tooth or bone loss. Long-term success depends on improved oral hygiene (brushing and flossing), regular office cleanings to remove difficult to reach plaque and calculus, and checkups to monitor the condition of your gums. You can also lower the risk of reoccurrence with improvements in diet and life-style (such as quitting smoking), instituting better hygiene and lifestyle habits, as well as keeping alert to any signs of recurring disease will go a long way in preserving your teeth and overall oral health.
Richardson Periodontics & Implant Dentistry is a full service periodontics and implant dentistry center with locations in Eustis, FL. Richardson Periodontics & Implant Dentistry offers a full array of periodontics services to help you maintain healthy gums and a beautiful smile. Contact our Eustis dental office at 352-589-1973 for more information about gum disease or schedule your appointment online.