What are some common symptoms of Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease (also known as periodontitis) refers to a severe dental health issue where bacteria builds up in the gum tissues surrounding the teeth and jawbone and is then left untreated for a long period of time. Since it’s such a common dental problem, many people don’t seem to take it seriously at times but be aware that it’s the number one reason for tooth loss. So, yes, it’s a very big deal and something you must treat right away.
To help you avoid this very serious dental health problem, we’re going to briefly discuss the five main symptoms of periodontal disease. Plus, we’ll also look at the primary causes and prevention techniques.
Common Causes of Periodontal Disease
As with most dental problems, periodontal disease results from mis-care of your teeth and gums. Some of these are a direct result of not taking the time to care for your teeth while others involve what you subject them to on a regular basis.
Here’s a quick list of the most common causes pf periodontal disease:
- Not brushing/flossing enough
- Poor nutrition
- Grinding/clenching teeth
- Smoking or tobacco use
- Hormonal changes
- Certain illnesses
- Genetics
- Stress
Common Symptoms
Periodontal disease affects one in every two Americans over 30 years of age. Since tooth loss can occur if you ignore problems with periodontitis, it’s very important that you seek the help of a dentist right away. Please don’t hesitate if you notice any of these symptoms of periodontal disease:
- Bleeding gums
- Swollen/tender gums
- Persistent bad breath
- Persistent bad taste in your mouth
- Loose/shifting teeth
Techniques to Prevent Disease
Periodontal disease takes a while to occur, which means you have a great chance at avoiding it altogether. As with other dental issues, maintaining a regimen of preventive dental care is always the best way to curtail problems in the future.
Follow these simple tips that will help you avoid periodontal disease:
- Brushing and flossing — To prevent dental health problems, you should always be brushing and flossing twice per day.
- Regular cleanings — Make an appointment every six months to clean your teeth and get them checked out by a dentist.
- Avoid tobacco — Smoking and other forms of tobacco are terrible for your teeth, so avoid it like the plague.
- Watch food and drinks — Foods and drinks that are especially sugary or acidic can cause damage, so ingest them in moderation.
- Use fluoride mouthwash — Daily use of a fluoride mouthwash will cut down on lingering bacteria and reduce dental issues.
Dental Treatment of Periodontal Disease
Inaction after noticing that you have one or more symptoms of periodontal disease could lead to severe damage. If you believe but you’re suffering from periodontal disease, it’s essential that you contact your dentist right away. Once it’s been determined that this is the problem, these are the steps that you can expect:
- Professional cleaning – If your problem is at the gingivitis stage (which precedes periodontitis), then a professional cleaning may clear it up.
- Scaling — This refers to the process of your dentist removing plaque and tartar to the bottom of the periodontal pocket.
- Root planning — After scaling, the root surfaces of your teeth will be smoothed out to allow the gum tissue to heal and reattach to the teeth.
- Periodontal surgery – If all else fails, surgery will be performed to remove plaques and tartar from hard-to-reach areas, then gums are stitched into place to be tight on your teeth.
Contact Dr. Ferullo to Discuss the Symptoms of Periodontal Disease
Dr. Ferullo is the most trusted dentist in St. Pete and can check your symptoms of periodontal disease to determine the best course of action. To learn more the services he performs or to ask about our free teeth whitening, contact his office by calling (727) 822-8101 today to meet with a dentist in St. Petersburg.
