Periodontal disease, often called gum disease, is prevalent around the world. In the United States, nearly 50% of people at least 30 years old have periodontal disease. Despite it being so common, you can usually prevent gum disease with careful oral hygiene.
It's important to catch gum disease early so it can be treated before it leads to serious oral health issues, such as tooth decay, infected tissue, and even tooth loss.
Here are the symptoms of gum disease you should look out for. If you start experiencing any of them, visit an experienced dentist for an official diagnosis and treatment plan.
What is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease is gum disease caused by excess bacteria. When left untreated, it leads to deterioration of teeth, soft tissue, and bone.
It is usually caused by poor oral hygiene and carries serious health risks like strokes and heart attacks.
What are the Symptoms of Periodontal Disease?
There are many different types of periodontal disease, each presenting its own group of symptoms.
Symptoms of Periodontal Disease
If you have any of the following symptoms, you should schedule an appointment for a checkup.
Severe periodontal disease can be identified by tooth decay, bone loss, and tissue loss.
While there are many symptoms associated with periodontal disease, these same issues could be caused by many different things.
Diagnosing Periodontal Disease
Diagnosing periodontal disease yourself, especially in the early stages, isn’t as easy as it may seem because many issues can have the same signs and symptoms. To accurately get a diagnosis, you will need to visit a dental professional.
In the meantime, you should be diligent about oral care. Brush and floss twice per day, and use mouthwash to get rid of excess bacteria.
We recommend getting a mouthwash specifically formulated to reverse the effects of gingivitis and picking up a soft-bristled toothbrush.
How Do You Treat Gum Disease?
Depending on how severe your gum disease is, treatment options will vary. The most common treatments are scaling and root planing, pocket reduction surgery, or even tissue and bone grafting in severe cases.
In the beginning stages of gum disease, a regular cleaning should be enough to take care of it. However, if early gum disease is left untreated, you will require additional treatment.
Scaling and Root Planing
Mild gum disease can be treated by scaling and root planing. This is a deep cleaning that removes tartar and plaque from both above and below your gums. It's more in-depth than a regular teeth cleaning.
Pocket Reduction Surgery
Scaling and root planing aims to reduce pockets left by gum disease. However, if the pockets don't shrink back to normal size on their own, you may need pocket reduction surgery.
Tissue & Bone Grafting
In the most severe instances of gum disease, patients can suffer from tissue and bone loss. In these cases, tissue and bone grafting is needed to restore your natural smile and dental health.
Also, if you've lost teeth due to severe gum disease, bone grafting can be used to make sure your bones are strong enough to support dental implants.
Are You Seeking Gum Disease Treatment in Fremont, CA?
If you have any of these signs or symptoms of periodontal disease, call us or book an appointment online. We can get to the root of the problem to resolve it as soon as possible. Don’t wait because dental issues won’t get better on their own.