Gum disease or periodontitis is a serious gum infection. The American Academy of Periodontology stresses the importance of understanding how this gum condition starts and progresses. Doing so will allow you to perform steps on how to stop it. Here are the details that you must consider to know more about gum disease. 

The Symptoms

The onset and progression of gum disease are often out of sight. Regular dental checkups will tell your dentist the early signs of this condition. If you don’t see your dentist often, the symptoms will start to become more obvious. Here are some of them:

• Inflammation throughout your body

• Foul breath

• Bleeding gums while flossing or brushing

• Bitter taste in your mouth

• Gum recession

• Tooth loss

• Tartar or plaque buildup

• Swollen and tender gums

• Pain while chewing

• Dental shifting

The Causes

Even the cleanest mouths harbor many types of bacteria. Most of these organisms are harmless. If you fail to clean your mouth the right way each day, bad bacteria will attack your teeth and gums. The following will happen:

• Dental plaque forms on your teeth each time you drink or eat something rich in acid or carbohydrates

• Bacteria will start to deposit minerals to the plaque and harden it if you don’t remove it right away

• Tartar will result from this process. It will encourage bacteria to go to the dental roots

• Inflammation starts to spread all over your body

• Gum pockets appear because of the weak attachment of the gums to the tooth roots. This allows more food particles and bacteria into the gums

• Bad bacteria start to thrive and release toxins that damage the teeth, gum, and supporting structures of the jawbone

The Treatments

Gum disease treatments aim to remove bacterial deposits and plaque on teeth and gums. These will depend on the degree of infection in your gums. Working with your dentist can ensure your progress. Treating gum diseases starts with proper oral care practices. Your dentist will provide tips on how to floss and brush the right way. Choosing an antibacterial mouthwash can also help. 

Quitting your tobacco consumption can help prevent the symptoms of gum disease from worsening. Tobacco can prevent the proper oxygenation and circulation of blood. This can keep your gums from healing and fighting infections. Seeing your dentist for professional dental cleanings can help remove the tartar and plaque from teeth and underneath the gums. This process can help your infected and damaged gums heal. 

The dentist can prescribe antibiotics to help with gum infections that do not respond to dental cleanings. Antibiotics can come in the form of a capsule, tablet, mouthwash, or gel. Flap surgery may be necessary to remove the bacterial deposits underneath the gums and around the roots. You will need to be under anesthesia for this procedure. After cleaning the gums, the dentist will stitch the gums back. Your dentist will recommend bone grafting with flap surgery if you have significant jawbone loss. 

Understanding gum disease can help you get early treatment for it. This can prevent tooth loss later on. At Eagle Gate Dental, we always provide the right treatments for every dental problem. Feel free to visit our clinic in Salt Lake City, Utah, for a one-on-one consultation. Please call 801-781-5300 to schedule an appointment or ask about our gum disease treatment packages.