Seven Signs You Have Periodontal Gum Disease

Gum disease is nothing to laugh about. It’s pretty serious: in fact, one of every two American adults over 30 has periodontal disease, points out a recent CDC report. Approximately 47 percent, or 64 million people, suffer from mild, moderate or severe periodontitis. In adults over 65, this number jumps up to more than 70 percent.

Gum disease, an infection affecting the tissues in the mouth that support teeth, is a top cause of tooth loss. The tough part about it is that gum disease doesn’t usually manifest itself with pain, so most patients have no idea they have it until it’s too late. Gum disease, also referred to as periodontal disease, results from a buildup of plaque. That’s the sticky film of bacteria that coats your teeth and is very hard to remove.

The sooner your dentist diagnoses you with gum disease, the sooner you can start periodontal treatment in Studio City. In the early stages, gum disease is known as gingivitis, which is quite common. This condition involves red, swollen gums that bleed easily. Regular dental visits and brushing/flossing routines can remedy this, but if you let it go unchecked, it will progress to advanced gum disease. This is also known as periodontitis and involves the loss of tissue, supportive bone and, eventually, the surrounding teeth themselves.

Here are seven signs you may have periodontal disease:

• Bleeding gums: At first you may think you’ve just been brushing your teeth too hard; however, your gums shouldn’t be bleeding from thorough brushing.
• Bad breath: Bacteria thrive in an environment where plaque congregates in the spaces between teeth. This buildup creates compounds that can lead to halitosis, the clinical term for foul breath.
• Redness and swelling: Inflammation of the gums is one of the leading signs of the early stages of periodontal disease.
• Gum recession: Part of the tooth root gets exposed when your gum tissue recedes farther down the tooth. This gives bacteria an entry point.
• Loose teeth: Once the advanced stages of periodontal disease take hold, your teeth can start to loosen or shift in your mouth.
• Abscess: When bacteria gets caught in a periodontal pocket, it fills up with pus. This is very painful, leading to swelling and even fever, which signals infection.
• Sensitivity: Chronic sensitivity to hot and cold foods occurs when the exposed roots that come with gum recession make it uncomfortable to eat ice cream, sip soup and bite into crunchy apples.

If your dentist diagnoses you with gum disease after an evaluation, there are a several treatment options available. These include root planing, scaling or debridement, along with anti-microbial products or antibiotics to help prevent the need for future periodontal surgery.

Contact Studio City Dental Center

Here at Studio City Dental Center, we evaluate our patients for any signs of gum disease during twice-annual cleanings. Is it time for your appointment? Request an appointment at 818-762-2977.