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Gum Disease and Periodontal Disease
According to the CDC, about 50% of the American population over the age of 30 has periodontal disease. Are you one of them?
If your gums bleed when brushing, it may be a sign. At Lakewood Smiles, our patients are encouraged to seek routine checkups to reduce risks for gum disease and promote whole body health. Call us at (562) 866-0406 to schedule an appointment.
What Is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease, or gum disease, begins as an infection in the gum tissue surrounding teeth. If gum disease is left untreated, this infection can spread to inflammation throughout the body, and may cause your teeth to become loose or fall out over time. Gum disease is systemic: it has been linked to symptoms of heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, respiratory disease, and cancer.
What Causes Gum Disease?
Periodontal disease, in its mildest form, is known as gingivitis. In this stage, the gums may show little or no symptoms, or become chronically inflamed. This occurs in part due to the buildup of bacteria below the surface of the gums. This can result in tooth decay, mouth pain, sensitive teeth and gums that bleed when brushing or flossing.
Although the gums may be irritated, the teeth are still firmly planted in their sockets. No irreversible bone or other tissue damage has occurred at this stage. Gum disease can be triggered due to hormonal changes, medications that reduce the flow of saliva, smoking, poor oral hygiene, and illness.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
How do you know if your gums are unhealthy? A simple test is to start flossing in between your teeth. If you notice any blood on the floss, then a dentist should be consulted to determine how severity of the situation. Red, swollen gums that are tender to the touch are another indication of gum disease. You may also be experiencing:
- Gums that feel itchy, sensitive or cause pain in the mouth
- Receding gum lines where teeth appear to be getting longer
- Bad breath that won’t go away
- A dental abscess in the gums forming around the teeth
When Gum Disease Becomes Serious
If gingivitis is allowed to advance without the help of your family dentist, it can quickly advance into periodontitis. This is where the inner layers of the gum and bone pull away from the teeth. Unable to prevent bacteria from entering the area, the body becomes inflamed, and the immune system works overtime to fight the harmful bacteria that is spreading throughout the body.
If your gum disease has advanced to periodontitis, a regular dental cleaning paired with brushing and flossing will not be enough to reverse the damage. A procedure known as scaling and root planing, will be performed to remove debris trapped below the gum line, medicate the area, and prevent risks of tooth loss and decay.
Treating Gum Disease at Lakewood Smiles
If you have noticed that your gums are feeling “off” or you are experiencing a sudden tooth sensitivity to cold food and drinks, you may need the help of your local family dentist. At Lakewood Smiles, we recommend you give us a call at (562) 866-0406 to schedule a gentle dental exam. We’d love to improve the health of your smile!