What Are Symptoms of Gum Disease?

Gum disease, also called periodontitis, is an infection that attacks the soft gum tissue. It causes your teeth to become loose, and some can fall out. Gum disease may also destroy the bone structure underneath your teeth.

Symptoms of Gum Disease

Here are the signs and symptoms to look out for:

• Swollen gums that look red or purplish.

• Gum tenderness and pain.

• Gums bleeding easily when you brush or floss.

• Pain when chewing.

• Gums receding from your teeth. They leave pockets that fill up with plaque and food particles.

• Teeth looking more protracted than usual, and the gums appearing smaller.

• Development of new spaces between your teeth.

• Bad breath and a bad taste in your mouth. This symptom indicates the presence of bacteria.

• Wiggly loose teeth and an eventual tooth loss.

• A change in how your teeth fit together when you bite down.

• Pus coming from the points of contact between the gums and teeth.

• Tooth sensitivity, especially when exposed to cold air or water.

Note that even in the absence of the symptoms, there’s still a chance that you have gum disease. Also, note that gum disease can affect some teeth, like the molars, and leave others.

So, it would be best if you made regular visits to the periodontist or dentist in Tampa, FL. They can correctly diagnose gum disease, even in its early stages.

Treatment for Gum Disease

Gum disease treatment seeks to reduce any swelling, reduce infection risk, and close the gum pockets. The method the periodontist chooses depends on the state of your teeth and the level of disease advancement. If you had earlier treatments that did not work, the doctor would also consider a new therapy. Your overall health also matters in this decision.

The periodontist may choose a non-surgical therapy or surgery. Examples of non-surgical treatment include professional dental cleaning, scaling, and root planing. Surgery is suitable when restoring your teeth’s supportive tissues. Examples of surgical procedures include pocket reduction surgery, soft tissue graft, bone graft, and guided tissue regeneration.

Preventing Gum Disease

You can reverse or stop the progression of gum disease through proper plaque control. It involves getting professional dental cleanings at least two times a year and in between, brushing and flossing your teeth once or twice a day. Brushing removes the plaque from the surface of your teeth. Flossing removes the plaque and food particles stuck between your teeth and on your gumline.

The American Dental Association also recommends that you use an anti-bacterial mouth rinse. It reduces the population of the bacteria responsible for plaque and gum disease.

Some adjustments to your daily living may also bring down the risk or severity of gum disease. The first is that you need to stop smoking. Tobacco use increases the risk of gum disease by seven times. Smoking may also reduce the effectiveness of treatments issued.

Proper nutrition through a well-balanced diet also helps immensely. It boosts your body’s ability to fight infection. Foods with vitamins and antioxidants help the body to repair any damaged tissue.

Avoid grinding or clenching your teeth. Doing so puts unnecessary pressure on the teeth and their supporting tissues. It also increases the rate at which the tissue is destroyed.

Gum disease is a severe infection of the gums and teeth. Get it diagnosed and treated at Today's Family Dental in Tampa, Florida. You can also call (813) 370-1700 or (813) 212-8700  to request an appointment.