What Are the Symptoms of Periodontitis?

Periodontitis or gum disease is a modern-day oral disease that affects many people. Almost 64 million people suffer from this severe oral disease in America alone. In simple words, close to half of the adult population are struggling with a form of the disease.

Most people will focus on the teeth and forget about the gums. Gum health is equally as essential if you are to keep your teeth for a lifetime; we only get one set of teeth in life!

If you are aware of the symptoms, you may seek prompt periodontal treatment in Frisco, TX, ensuring that you don’t lose your teeth. This is why you shouldn’t downplay visiting our dentist in Frisco, TX, at least twice a year. These visits are essential in keeping a plethora of dental diseases at bay.

But before we check out the symptoms, let’s get a glimpse of what gum disease is all about.

Periodontal Disease, In a Nutshell

Gum disease, periodontal disease, or periodontitis is a severe and progressive condition that affects the tissue surrounding and supporting the teeth, including gums and underlying bone. The disease is currently the leading cause of tooth loss among adults above 30 years.

It develops mainly because of plaque that accumulates along the gum line. If you don’t deal with the plaque, your gums or gingiva will become inflamed or irritated. This is the first stage of the disease known as gingivitis.

Periodontitis will progress if left untreated and can cause the destruction of the gum tissue and the underlying bone.

What Are the Common Signs and Symptoms?

If you are waiting for the pain to alarm you that something’s wrong, then the early signs of periodontitis may just pass you by. This is another reason you must visit our dentist in Frisco, TX, for regular checkups.

On the other hand, you can peel your eyes for the following signs and symptoms:

• Unexplained Bleeding

If you notice that your gums are easily bleeding when flossing, brushing or eating food is among the first signs of periodontitis. The toxins found in dental plaque make the gingival tissue prone to bleeding.

• Redness, Pain, and Swelling

Infection of the gums can cause the gums to swell, become red or painful. The gums may seem to swell for no apparent reason.

• Gum Recession

When the disease starts progressing, your gums may begin to recede. This is because the toxins produced by the bacteria will begin to destroy the supporting bones and tissues, making your teeth seem longer.

• Loose Teeth

When the disease progresses, you might notice that your teeth have become loose or may begin to shift. When the underlying bone begins to deteriorate, your bite may change, and teeth may shift out of their position.

• Bad Breath

Halitosis or bad breath typically arises from the back of the tongue, stomach, lungs, and food we consume. However, bad breath can also arise due to old food particles sitting between the teeth or underneath the gum line. If the pockets are deeper, they will house more bacteria and debris causing bad breath.

• Pus

If you have pus oozing between the teeth, you know that a periodontal infection is in progress. The pus arises when your body is trying to fight the infection.

Is Periodontal Disease Reversible?

The primary goal for periodontal treatment in Frisco, TX, is to remove the tartar on the gum line and tooth root. However, this will only aid in slowing down the rapid progression of the disease. In other words, periodontitis cannot be reversed.

But, if you have the earliest stage of the disease, which is gingivitis, it can be reversed. This is why we advise our patients to come for regular checkups since this presents the opportunity for our dentist near you to catch it early before it escalates.

How Can I Stop or Prevent Periodontal Disease?

The most desirable way to go has always been and will always be prevention. If you follow a proper dental hygiene program each day throughout your life, you will not only keep periodontal disease at bay but many other oral health issues. Here are some ways to prevent or stop periodontitis:

• Good oral hygiene – this entails flossing and brushing no less than two minutes each day after meals
• Regular dental visits – if you see our dentist twice each year, usually after every six months, you reduce the risks of developing any dental issues

If you have questions concerning periodontitis, contact us at Millennium Smiles, and we would love to help you.