Do you know what periodontal disease is? If not, it can cause tooth loss, but if caught early enough, the risk of this happening can be reduced. And the best way to do that is to make sure your dentist is aware of the symptoms.
Periodontal disease can be caused by physical trauma or by food particles getting stuck between your teeth and causing tooth decay. And if you often snack on foods like popcorn, you may be at a greater risk of this happening. In fact, an El Dorado Hills dentist can help you identify periodontal disease easily if you get regular checkups.
Because you may not know what some of the symptoms of periodontal disease are, here’s a list to start you off:
- Your gums may become red and swollen
- Your gums might bleed when you brush your teeth or floss them
- Your tooth surfaces might become rough and even cracked
- Your tooth surfaces might show holes or discoloration
- A painful-looking cavity might form, but it will be easy to treat
When you think about your teeth and gums, getting a regular checkup is the best place to start treating periodontal disease. And that’s why your dentist wants you to do routine check-ups. So, you better not hesitate to schedule one with your dentist, especially if any of the above symptoms are happening.
3 Stages of Periodontal Disease
- Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the first or normal stage of gum disease. In this stage, your gums become inflamed. They may become swollen, red, and tender when you brush them. The openings of the gums may also become inflamed, and bleeding can occur when you brush your teeth or floss them.
- Periodontitis
Periodontitis is a severe form of gum disease that involves the destruction of healthy gum tissue and bone in your teeth that support the teeth. It is marked by inflammation of the gums, tooth decay, and bad breath. The immune system attacks the gums, and they become red, swollen, tender, and bleed easily.
- Advanced periodontitis
In advanced periodontitis, the gums become necrotic and cannot repair themselves. Gums also become infected and swollen. They are red, tender, and bleed easily. Tooth decay and gum disease continue to spread through the teeth, which can lead to possible tooth loss over time.
