Periodontitis is a form of gum disease in which swelling of gums extends to the teeth-supporting structures. It usually results from the long-term accumulation of food debris and bacteria, which becomes plaque. If ignored, the pockets between the gums and the teeth deepen towards the tooth's roots and the underlying bone, leading to increased plaque and tartar. Plaque and tartar eventually cause chronic inflammation, which destroys the tissues supporting the teeth. Luckily, you can prevent further damage by treating the condition early, and a good way to achieve this is by learning the early signs of periodontitis. Here are the 3 common signs.
Gum Recession
Gum recession is among the first signs that gingivitis is progressing to a severe stage. When the gums pull away from the tooth, they expose the tooth roots, putting you at risk of infections. In addition, you will likely experience teeth sensitivity when you consume hot or cold items. Gum recession also leads to deep periodontal pockets, causing tartar and plaque to accumulate. In this stage, cleaning the pockets with a toothbrush or floss becomes challenging, increasing the risk of infection. Luckily, a dentist can perform scaling and root planing to clean the deep pockets and avoid further damage.
Bone Loss
When left untreated, bacteria will continue to damage the soft tissues supporting the teeth. This is a severe condition because bone loss can cause your teeth to become loose and fall out. In addition, pus and infection may occur, resulting in chronic bad breath. The good thing is that various dental procedures can treat periodontitis. A dentist can choose surgical or non-surgical options depending on the severity of the issue. This may involve scaling, root planing, flap surgery, and bone and gum grafts. Contact us if you notice any of these signs of periodontitis. Our dentists will develop a treatment plan to restore your gums and teeth.
Periodontitis is a form of gum disease in which swelling of gums extends to the teeth-supporting structures. It usually results from the long-term accumulation of food debris and bacteria, which becomes plaque. If ignored, the pockets between the gums and the teeth deepen towards the tooth's roots and the underlying bone, leading to increased plaque and tartar. Plaque and tartar eventually cause chronic inflammation, which destroys the tissues supporting the teeth. Luckily, you can prevent further damage by treating the condition early, and a good way to achieve this is by learning the early signs of periodontitis. Here are the 3 common signs.