Jan 01, 2023
At Trinity Dental Loft, we have determined periodontal disease is among the top prevalent infection for patients. A bacterial infection develops in the mouth, targeting the gum tissue. However, gum disease is not restricted to gums. As it advances, periodontal disease impacts jawbone health and even risks damaging your teeth.
What Are the Stages of Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease is considered among the most prevalent oral problems, potentially damaging oral features permanently. The reason is that the disease occurs in different stages that differ in severity. The two stages of periodontal disease are:
- Gingivitis is the initial stage of gum infection. Usually, gingivitis manifests mild to moderate signs. You can miss some signs if you are not keen to check. Gingivitis hardly causes permanent damage to your mouth. Better yet, you can reverse the disease early to change the outcome of your oral health.
- Periodontitis is the advanced stage of gum disease. It occurs when patients neglect treatment by downplaying or ignoring the mild symptoms of gingivitis. Periodontitis is a severe condition that attracts many other oral complications with permanent repercussions. Usually, a dentist near you cannot reverse periodontitis. Instead, you would need Periodontal therapy in Dallas to manage your symptoms and restore your damaged oral features.
What Causes Periodontal Disease?
Dentists in Dallas point to poor oral hygiene as the leading cause of periodontal disease. It allows plaque and tartar to build up on teeth surfaces and hide in gum folds. Over time, the plaque combines with acids and saliva to create a conducive environment for bacterial overgrowth. The bacteria then begin to damage soft tissues, causing various symptoms.
Still, poor oral hygiene is not the only reason you can have gum disease. Some of the factors that heighten your risk of gums disease are:
- Hormonal imbalance – particularly during pregnancy.
- Underlying health conditions like diabetes.
- Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption
What Happens If You Have Periodontal Disease?
Sadly, periodontal disease is so prevalent in dentistry that dentists in Dallas are ready to offer preventive measures to counter the disease. Usually, when your gums are infected, you start experiencing certain changes in your gum and jaw structures. These changes will eventually impact your teeth’ health, particularly if you delay or neglect periodontal therapy near you. The symptoms you experience when you have periodontal disease differ based on the stage of infection. Some symptoms include:
- Swollen, tender-to-touch gums
- Reddened gums
- Bleeding gums. They are usually noticeable when you brush your teeth or eat hard raw foods like apples. Sometimes you will notice streaks of blood in your saliva or a pinkish color in your toothbrush after brushing your teeth.
- Persistent bad breath even after brushing your teeth
- Mouth sores
- Dental pain when you chew food – is not limited to your gums. You may also experience jaw pain due to gum disease.
- Receding gums – When infected, your gums pull away from your teeth. The recession exposes your tooth roots, causing your teeth to look longer than they are.
- Open gingival embrasures – are small black triangles that form on the base of teeth near the gum line. You will notice them when you smile. The embrasures develop due to gum recession.
- Weak teeth – your teeth weaken due to gum recession and exposed tooth roots. The bacteria from your gums will also start affecting your teeth’ health, increasing the risk of dental cavities.
- Wobbly teeth – the jawbone is not solely responsible for supporting your teeth. Damaged gums compromise the stability and support of teeth. The worse your condition gets, the more your teeth shake and start shifting position. In worst-case scenarios, patients lose their natural teeth to periodontal disease.
Must You Get Periodontal Disease?
However common it may be, gum disease is not a rite of passage. Many people have gotten through life without periodontal infection. If you want to be part of the group, consider the following preventive measures:
- Brush your teeth at least twice every day.
- Floss daily.
- Eat healthily – while avoiding hard foods that can hurt your gums.
- Watch your oral habits – like chewing hard non-food items that can cut your gums.
- Quit smoking and cut back on alcohol.
- Visit the dentist regularly for checkups and dental cleanings.