Symptoms of Gum Disease
Gum disease is a problem that affects a number of people even in today’s society. Although there are plenty of preventative measures and treatments in place in modern dentistry, apprehension about dental visits and poor oral health practices continue to allow these conditions to develop in otherwise healthy people.
There are two basic types of gum disease which most commonly affect dental patients. The first one is gingivitis, which is the early stage of periodontal issues. Many times, the treatments are simple and highly effective, and the damage caused at this point is usually largely reversible. The second type of gum disease is more advanced, much more harmful, and a little bit more difficult to bring under control. It is known as periodontitis and although the results are not reversible, they can be neutralized and there are a number or restorative options for patients who may have suffered severe complications from the disease such as loss of teeth or bone mass. This makes routine periodontal maintenance very important.
In either case, early detection is critical to getting the most effective treatment and best results, and the dental professionals here at Dr. Hilton Israelson are highly experienced in dealing with these types of issues.
Early Signs and Stages
As previously mentioned, the first stage of periodontal disease is gingivitis. It announces its presence with a number of different warning signs and red flags. These include things like puffy and inflamed gums, bleeding when brushing, flossing, or even eating firm or hard foods, bad breath, and a noticeable buildup of tartar and plaque on the teeth and at the gum line.
You may also see some slight discoloration of the teeth, as well as noticing an increasing sensitivity to air and cold beverages. Even though our mouths always contain bacteria, not all of them are bad. It is not until the undesirable kind begins to aggressively spread and multiply that we start to have issues with our gums and become in danger of developing gingivitis or something even worse…
Later Signs and Stages
When gingivitis is ignored, neglected, or not properly treated, the next stage is periodontitis, which is much more serious and difficult to deal with. In the early stages of this disorder you will notice things such as your gums begin to recede, making your teeth appear longer when in fact, it is just the disappearance of gum tissue.
Another thing that happens is that pockets develop between your teeth and gums, creating breeding grounds for the already growing, harmful bacteria festering in your mouth. Bleeding gums will become much more common and you may even experience some bone loss. It is imperative that you come see us long before these problems arise. The early we can begin treatment, the sooner we can stop the progression and damage.
To come in for a checkup and to see how your gum health is doing, come see us here at Dr. Hilton Israelson. Of course, you are always free to give us a call at (972) 669-9444 and one of our courteous office associates will be glad to assist you.