Sign and Symptoms of Periodontal Disease

Periodontal (gum) disease is often painless with no apparent symptoms. In fact, signs may not appear until the condition has already progressed. This inflammatory disease affects the tissues that support your teeth. It’s been found to be a significant cause of tooth loss among adults. Since the early stages of periodontal disease can make it hard for you to know whether you have it, you must pay attention to its signs and symptoms. Here are a few of the warning signs of periodontal disease you need to watch out for:

1. Bad Breath. Oral health problems like periodontal disease can play a role in causing bad breath. The foul odor comes from the interaction between bacteria and specific substrates that seem to be more abundant in the gingival fluid of patients suffering from gum disease. Periodontal pathogens break down protein and peptides through a chemical reaction with water. This results in volatile sulfur compounds, which are responsible for the malodor.

2. Red, Swollen, or Bleeding Gums. Taking certain medications or using the wrong technique when brushing or flossing can result in tender or bleeding gums. But it can also be a sign of a health condition, such as gum disease. If you have gingivitis, a mild form of periodontal disease, your gums can become red, swollen, and irritated. If you don’t treat gingivitis, it can result in periodontal disease. Here, your gums will become inflamed and infected. Worse, the soft tissue will pull away from the roots of your teeth.

3. Sensitive or Loose Teeth. Inflamed, sore gums can result in sensitive teeth. This happens when you lose the supporting ligaments surrounding your teeth. As a result, the root surface leading directly to the nerves of your teeth become exposed. Also, ongoing inflammation and infection can eventually result in pockets forming between your gums and teeth. Plaque and tartar can fill these pockets, causing it to become deeper and fill in more bacteria. If untreated, these deep infections will loosen your teeth and even cause you to lose one or more of them.

Other signs of periodontal disease are receding gums, pain when chewing, poor teeth alignment, and a change in how your partial dentures fit.

Tips to Prevent Periodontal Disease

Several factors increase a person’s risk of developing gum disease. These include heredity, crooked teeth, poor dental hygiene, smoking, and stress. You may also likely suffer from such a condition if you have diabetes or an underlying autoimmune disease like AIDS.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to prevent periodontal disease. You have to brush your teeth at least twice a day with a fluoridated toothpaste and floss every day. It’s also crucial that you eat a healthy, balanced diet that includes fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean meat. You need to avoid sweet food and a diet high in saturated fats. Equally important is keeping up with your regular dental exams for early detection and intervention.

Don’t wait for any issue to become worse. Schedule your dental checkup today at Eagle Gate Dental in Salt Lake City, Utah. Call us now at (801) 781-5300 to make an appointment.