What To Do If You Have These Gum Disease Symptoms
Gum disease (also known as periodontal disease) can lead to gums inflammation and infection. In addition, the condition can be painful and embarrassing. Unfortunately, most people don’t realize they have it until severe symptoms set in. So what are some of the signs and symptoms to watch out for? Read on.
The Signs and Progression of Gum Disease
There are two stages of gum disease, namely gingivitis and periodontitis.
Gingivitis
Bacteria buildup causes gingivitis. In the initial stages, inflammation around the gums, with redness and swelling of the gum tissue, can be observed. Gingivitis is indicated by gums that are easily inflamed or bleed when brushing. Removing plaque buildup is necessary to prevent the development of gum disease.
Periodontitis
Periodontitis is the advanced stage of gum disease. Here the symptoms are more significant, and your teeth are affected greatly. To diagnose gum disease early, you should pay attention to the initial five signs discussed below.
- Swollen Gums
Gingivitis is the initial form of gum disease that manifests as swollen and red gums, indicating plaque accumulation on the teeth. If your dentist suspects that you have gingivitis, they may give you a deep cleaning or antibiotic treatment. However, ignoring this symptom for an extended period can lead to periodontitis, which causes tooth loss and spread of infection to other body parts.
- Bleeding Gums
Do you often see blood on your toothbrush when you floss or brush? Unfortunately, bleeding when brushing or flossing may be an early sign of gum disease. Bacteria may spread through the gums and affect the jaw when untreated. Contact your dentist near you immediately since early treatment controls the infection.
- Gum Pain
In some cases, gum disease isn’t accompanied by any pain, but severe gum disease often causes pain. You may have plaque buildup when you notice sensitive or tender gums after flossing or brushing. Moreover, it is vital to understand the cause of pain.
- Tooth Sensitivity
Teeth may be generally sensitive to hot or cold food. However, this may signify the presence of gum disease. When periodontal disease occurs, it causes gum inflammation, leading to the teeth protruding outwards, resulting in sensitivity to heat or cold. Therefore, it is crucial to discuss your tooth or gum sensitivity with your dentist at every visit.
- Halitosis
Persistent bad breath lasting more than two weeks may signify periodontal disease. Failure to regularly floss and brush your teeth leads to the accumulation of food debris in your mouth. The food particles and oral bacteria lead to bad breath and plaque buildup. Plaque can irritate your gums and allow gum disease to flare up. Bad breath is one of the signs of gum disease.
All the signs mentioned above indicate something could be wrong with your gums, necessitating gum disease treatment. If you develop any of those symptoms, visit our dentist in Cupertino urgently.
Care and Treatment for Gum Disease
Regular Dental Cleaning
At the early stages of gum disease, regular cleanings prevent further development at least twice a year. If you strictly follow your dentist’s recommendations for home care, including regular flossing, then you can prevent gingivitis. When managing periodontal disease, you need professional cleaning quarterly, and once your gums are healthy, you can go back to doing these procedures bi-annually.
Scaling and Root Planing
This procedure includes deep cleaning below and above the gum line to remove plaque and tartar and smooth out rough spots around the roots that may promote bacteria formation. After removing material below the gum line, your dentist may use an antibacterial gel to help kill any remaining bacteria.
Local anesthesia is administered to prevent discomfort during the procedure since the process involves using special tools that reach the depths of plaque and bacteria.
In severe cases of gum disease, you may need two sessions during periodontal treatment. You may experience mild discomfort and bleeding gums after the process, but this subsides quickly. To manage the pain, your dentist may recommend pain relievers.
Medication
Antibiotics may help destroy the bacteria below the gum line, protect the root, and prevent tooth loss. Prescription and over-the-counter mouthwashes are available, and oral antibiotics can be used to destroy harmful bacteria.
Do you have gum disease symptoms? Then, contact Cupertino Family Dental today for treatment.