It’s simple to overlook the crucial role that our gums play while concentrating on our oral health. However, if you have advanced periodontitis, you are probably painfully aware right now—possibly for the first time—of how important your gum health is. We know that it is an extremely worrying condition to be in, particularly if you have previously lost one or more teeth to the illness.
You’re probably concerned about losing other teeth, and you might need to figure out what to do next or what to anticipate from your therapy. Fortunately, there is hope; with immediate care, you can stop additional harm and get your smile back.
Defining gum disease
The primary cause of tooth loss in adults is periodontal (gum) disease. It is an inflammatory condition affecting the tissues surrounding your teeth. Although the illness is typically painless, it can cause serious tissue damage or even tooth and bone loss if untreated.
Gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums brought on by bacterial infection resulting in plaque and tartar buildup, is a moderate form of periodontal disease. However, more severe, chronic forms can cause significant soft tissue damage and even tooth loss. Most people experience a very slow progression of chronic periodontitis, the most severe type of condition, which often manifests itself more in adults. Controlling and treating periodontal disease early on is essential to preventing it from worsening. Frequent teeth cleaning in Calgary can help you prevent dental problems.
Difference between gum disease and periodontal disease
Both terms allude to gum tissue infection and inflammation brought on by oral bacteria. Gum disease can first appear minor; if you don’t visit the dentist frequently, you cannot notice the warning symptoms at home until it has advanced to a serious stage.
What causes gum disease?
Food can sometimes become stuck below the gum line where our teeth and gums join. Plaque forms on the surface of your teeth when bacteria isn’t regularly removed by brushing and flossing. Tartar develops as plaque hardens over time. When the plaque penetrates below the gum line, the gums may inflame. The gums then get red, swell, and are more prone to bleeding. With proper brushing and flossing techniques and frequent dentist visits or dental cleanings, gingivitis may typically be reversed. You might be wondering how often should you prefer professional dental cleaning. But you should visit your dentist in Calgary twice a month to keep your dental health in check.
Periodontitis, when the gums peel away from the teeth and create larger areas (referred to as pockets) that get infected, can develop from untreated gingivitis. Plaque keeps spreading behind the gum line as the bacterial illness gets worse. The bone and connective tissue that keeps teeth in place may deteriorate as your body’s immune system battles the germs. If untreated, the supporting bones and soft tissues progressively deteriorate, which may necessitate tooth extraction as they become loose.
Symptoms of gum disease
When gums bleed
When you floss your teeth, do your gums bleed easily? Unfortunately, excessive flossing did not cause this. Instead, this often indicates gingivitis—a gum infection and the first stage of gum disease. This is frequently the first indication of periodontitis, but fortunately, treating gum disease at this stage is simple. As a result, seeing a dentist as soon as you observe bleeding gums is critical.
Teeth become sensitive to heat and cold
Dental sensitivity is an issue that gum recession is also related to. Gum disease can force your gums to recede, which might reveal your teeth’s roots. As a result, external stimuli like sipping hot tea or a cold glass of water cause your teeth to become hypersensitive. Even while tooth sensitivity may be a sign of several oral health problems, including tooth decay, it should never be disregarded.
Elongated teeth
When teeth appear longer, this can indicate that your gum disease is getting worse. In reality, the gums pulling away from the tooth causes the appearance of longer teeth. Sadly, at this point, it is simple for germs and food particles to get stuck in the widening gum pockets. With a regular toothbrush, it might be challenging to effectively remove these particles, which eventually promotes the progression of gum disease. See your dentist if you start to notice that your teeth are starting to look longer.
Inflamed gums
Have you noticed any discomfort or gum sensitivity? Are they red, or do they seem swollen? Even though these signs don’t necessarily indicate the presence of gum disease, they indicate inflamed gum tissue. Therefore, before the problem worsens, ensure you pay a visit to your dentist in Calgary.
High blood sugar
Unfortunately, high blood sugar increases the risk of developing gum disease and type 2 diabetes. People with type 2 diabetes are far more likely to develop periodontitis. So be sure to get help immediately if you have any signs of high blood sugar, such as headaches, excessive thirst, impaired vision, frequent urination, etc.
Bad breath
We have all had foul breath at some point, but it is typically simple to eliminate with breath mints, mouthwash, or brushing. However, persistent foul breath could indicate poor dental health brought on by an overgrowth of bacteria, tooth decay, or even gum disease. The foul gases created by the bacteria covering your teeth, gums, and tongue typically give you persistent bad breath. A dental assessment and treatment can assist with chronically bad breath and its reasons, like the other warning symptoms.
Treatment for gum disease
Periodontitis can be effectively treated surgically and non-surgically with some options. Depending on your particular situation, including the severity of your periodontitis, your dentist will suggest a course of therapy. Scaling and root planing are nonsurgical procedures that are frequently combined. Scaling entails cleaning the surfaces of your teeth and the area under your gums of bacteria. And root planing can smooth the root surfaces to help prevent further bacterial buildup. If you have advanced periodontitis, flap surgery or pocket reduction surgery can be your best option.
