COMMON SIGNS OF GUM DISEASE
Gum (periodontal) disease is an issue you’re better off without. Gingivitis and periodontitis (the two stages of gum disease) both have clear signs. Whether your gums are swollen or they bleed when you floss, you should talk to your dentist in Durham, NC about gum disease. What does gum disease look like? These are some of the signs of periodontal disease:
GUMS THAT BLEED
Gums that bleed after you brush or floss is an early sign of periodontal disease. Even when you’re brushing too hard, it shouldn’t cause your gums to bleed. Brushing aggressively isn’t a helpful habit, particularly if your gums are tender or swollen, but there is probably an underlying issue that is making your gums bleed.
BAD BREATH
When your breath always smells bad (halitosis), it may be a sign of gum disease. The bacteria trapped under your gumline causes bad-smelling breath even if you are brushing twice a day.
INFLAMMATION AND COLOR CHANGES
Change in the color of your gums and inflammation are symptoms of a big problem. Purple or dark red gums, particularly if you also have bleeding gums, are an urgent symptom of gum disease. Another reason your gums may change color is due to habits (like tobacco use or a poor diet), which put you at higher risk for developing gum disease.
TOO MUCH TOOTH
Advanced periodontal disease causes your gumline to pull away and reveal more of your teeth than it should. If your gumline rises, it can lead to a lot of discomfort and damage when the roots of your teeth are unprotected. When you smile and there’s not enough gums and too much enamel, this is a sign of gum disease.
INCREASED SENSITIVITY
If you reach the later stages of gum disease and your tooth roots are visible, you might feel discomfort whenever you drink or eat something cold or hot. However, this is a sign of a cavity, which your dentist will consider during your dental exam. When the pain feels like it’s near your gums, it’s likely a symptom of gum disease.
OTHER SIGNS
Ideally, you will visit your dentist at the fist symptoms of periodontal disease; however, if you don’t get going to the dentist, it will become periodontitis with advanced signs. This includes exposed tooth roots and loose teeth. If your gums are weak, it can affect your teeth. When your gums are not strong enough to hold your teeth, it makes it easy for your teeth to be loose and/or fall out. The risk of an ongoing infection is also an important factor. Bacteria collected in your gum pockets will lead to an infection. The pus in the abscess will inflame your mouth and cause a lot of discomfort, as well as bigger problems if you don’t get treatment. The infection can enter your blood, which will affect every aspect of your health.
OPTIONS FOR TREATMENT
Once you notice a symptom of gum disease, you need to get your gums examined by your dentist. Whether you have gingivitis or periodontitis, your oral health can be improved with one of several treatment options. In advanced cases, your dentist may send you to a professional in Durham, NC who has special training and education in the care of the gums. Treating gum disease can be a lengthy process that takes multiple visits. However, if you fix it now, you won’t have to feel pain or get more invasive procedures, which will be necessary if you put it off. The top ways to treat gum disease are:
SRP TREATMENT
SRP (scaling and root planing) is a treatment performed by your dentist to remove the buildup from your teeth under the gumline. To begin, your dentist will use a special instrument known as a scaler to get rid of buildup in your gum pockets. Next, they will smooth (plane) the tooth to eliminate crevices where bacteria and debris usually hide and become an infection. An SRP treatment (or a few) can stop gingivitis and heal your gums.
ANTIBIOTICS
Oral antibiotics may be added to help fully treat the bacterial infection in your gums. Dentist often prescribe antibiotics following an SRP (scaling and root planing) procedure to help your gums heal by eliminating any lingering bacteria.
GUM SURGERY
Surgery will address the pockets, which are the root of the problem (trapping debris, inflammation, and affecting your gums). Based on your needs and your dentist, there’s several ways to perform periodontal surgery. In your consultation, your dentist should explain your options and work with you to create a custom treatment plan.
FACTORS THAT INCREASE YOUR RISK
When you’re at greater risk for periodontal disease, you have to be more careful. These are some of the biggest factors that increase your chance of getting periodontal disease:
AVOID GUM DISEASE
If you’d like to skip gum problems in the first place or you want to avoid more problems, these are some tips to improve the health of your gums:
TREAT PERIODONTAL DISEASE
Whether you already have symptoms of periodontal disease or you’re at risk for getting it, talk to a dental professional. DentalWorks – Durham can diagnose periodontal problems and perform treatment. Our team can correct gingivitis using one or more SRP (scaling and root planing) treatments as well as antibiotics. If you have periodontitis, our practice in Durham, NC offer gum surgery to restore your oral health.
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