Most diseases come on gradually, so it is important to pay attention to changes in your own health. Your mouth is similar to many other parts of your body. If you don’t pay attention to the signs and symptoms when they first occur, things can worsen quickly. Treatment outcomes could be compromised and more time consuming and expensive to cure, assuming it can be cured at all.
Gum Disease (Gingivitis) is the same. The signs and symptoms are numerous and obvious:
- Halitosis (bad breath)
- Bad taste in the mouth
- Pain while chewing
- A change in bite
- Bleeding when brushing or flossing
- Receding gums
- Red, swollen gums
- Receding gums
- Pus
- Teeth that are loose and mobile
- Sensitivity to hot or cold foods
- No symptoms are also possible.
Once these symptoms have occurred, there are several stages of gum disease:
- Gingivitis: This is inflammation of the gums as bacteria and plaque buildup. Bacterial byproducts are released which causes deeper periodontal pockets due to damage to fibers that support the teeth and gums. Symptoms include:
- Bad breath
- Redness and swelling of the gums
- Bleeding while flossing
- Minimal to Moderate Periodontal Disease. This is when the infection has penetrated deep into the gums causing the following:
- Increased redness in gums
- More bleeding upon brushing
- Worsening halitosis
Bacteria get so entrenched in the gums that it enters the bloodstream. This compromises the immune system and could lead to other diseases, even heart disease. Bone loss begins at this point.
- Advanced Periodontal Disease. Bacteria become more insidious, and teeth are looser making tooth loss inevitable. Thus, biting and chewing become even more difficult. The abscesses fill with pus as the immune system is fighting off more infections. Bone loss continues and it is irreversible.
Treatment for gingivitis may include a professional cleaning. Your dentist and hygienist will remove plaque, calculus, and stains from above and below the gum line. From there, it is up to the patient. Brushing twice a day for two minutes at a time, flossing once a day, and two dental check-ups every twelve months should help the teeth and gums return to good health. Moderate periodontal disease can be possibly reversed with a deeper scaling and root planning procedure to remove the buildup of calculus and bacterial under the gum line. Severe periodontal disease may be treated by all of the above, and possible gum surgery. In advanced cases, treatment may not be possible and extensive tooth loss can occur. This can affect other chronic health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.
If you suspect that you have gum disease, set an appointment with your dentist immediately. Once you have arrived for your dental appointment, your dentist will do the following:
- Investigate your medical history: Some medications can cause dry mouth which may lead to tooth decay by building up calculus. Calculus forms a yellow, brown deposit after plaque hardens. It cannot be removed on its own. It has to be done by a dentist or dental hygienist.
- Pocket-depth measurement: Dentists use a periodontal probe with markings in millimeters to measure the pocket depths around each tooth. The perio probe is inserted into the gingival sulcus, the space between the tooth and the gum surrounding it. Healthy measurements are between 1- 3mm of pocket depth.
- Dental X-Rays: These allow your dentist to evaluate changes in bone health. Your dentist can then see everything from the top of your tooth to its roots, as well as the height of the bone around it. This helps your dentist assess if there are any changes to the jawbone as a result of gum disease. The dentist then determines the risk and the frequency of x-rays needed. It may have to be done every 6 months or every couple of years.
Gum Disease is a serious condition, and it needs treatment whether at home or the dentist’s office. Call your dentist immediately if you believe you or a family member has it.
All Smiles Bethesda has experienced dentists and dental hygienists who can take care of your teeth and answer any of your questions. We would like to help you maintain your teeth and treat dental issues at their beginning stages versus their advanced stages. If you would like to schedule an appointment for you or your family, please call us at 301-984-9646 and or info@allsmilesbethesda.com or lorraine@allsmilesbethesda.com.
We serve the Bethesda, Rockville, Silver Spring, and the Washington, DC area.