Periodontal disease is a common mouth disease affecting 3 million people in the United States annually. Infections of the tissues and bone around the teeth make up a periodontal disease. The word “peri” means “around,” and “odontal” means “teeth.”
These infections attack your gums, the cementum that covers the roots of your teeth, the periodontal ligament, and the alveolar bone. Gingivitis is the first sign of gum disease, which begins in the gum tissue. As the disease worsens, it spreads to all the supporting tissues and bones. Our periodontists can tell you more about his education and experience with periodontics so that you are well informed and safe.
Periodontal Disease: Signs and Symptoms
There are main warning signs of periodontal disease that you should look out for. You should not want to ignore these signs. Periodontal disease can have effects that last for a long time. One of the worst effects of the disease is losing teeth. However, periodontal disease has also been linked to other health problems, which we will discuss later in this blog. These are the most common signs that you might have periodontal disease:
Swelling, Redness, And Oozing Gums
Gingivitis is the first sign of gum disease, but it is also the easiest to treat. It is caused by a buildup of bacteria in your mouth called plaque. Plaque on your teeth, especially at the gum line, can make your gums swell and hurt, and they may bleed when you brush them. Some medicines can also cause gums to bleed. Gums that bleed are not normal. If your gums still bleed even though you brush and floss every day, you should make an appointment with your dentist.
Consistent Bad Taste And Breath In The Mouth
Plaque builds up on your teeth and gums, which is the main cause of gum disease and bad breath. The plaque gives food to dangerous anaerobic bacteria that multiply in your mouth. Oral bacteria make a smell that you can smell on your breath. The gums start to pull away from the tooth, revealing more of the tooth and its root. When gums shrink, bacteria can grow in the spaces between them.
Pockets Between The Gums And The Teeth
When you have periodontal disease, the bone and tissue that support your teeth break down. This leaves spaces between the teeth, also called “pockets.” As these pockets get deeper over time, they give bacteria a bigger place to live and grow under your gum tissue.
Bone Loss And Receding Gums
If you don’t treat periodontal disease, you will lose bone. As the disease spreads, bacteria move past the gumline and infect the tissue under your teeth. When bacteria get to the roots of your teeth and jawbone, they make toxins that break down the exposed bone tissue. Bone loss can cause you to lose teeth, get bone craters, or break your bones badly.
Abscesses are made up of pus that gathers in one place. Periodontal abscesses can be caused by the following:
- An infection in the tooth’s pulp.
- An infection in the gums and tissues and around the tooth.
- A mix of both.
If you don’t treat periodontal abscesses, they can spread to your face and cause an infection. Loss of teeth or trouble eating: In the later stages of periodontal disease, your teeth will become loose, making it hard or painful to eat.
How Is Periodontal Disease Linked to Other Health Problems?
People with gum disease have a lot of bacteria in their mouths. This bacteria can quickly spread to other parts of your body through infected gum tissue. This harmful bacteria can move around and live in your heart, brain, lungs, and even a pregnant woman’s placenta.
This kind of bacteria doesn’t usually live in these places when everything is healthy. As your body tries to get rid of this bacteria, other health problems, like heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, respiratory disease, and problems during pregnancy, become more likely. Keep in mind that everything in your body is connected to one another. What happens to one part affects other parts. If you take steps to improve your oral health, you will also improve the health of your whole body. You can visit our dental clinic for the best periodontitis treatment nearby.