Do any of your family members often experience swollen, sore, or bleeding gums? These can be potential signs of gum disease.

Gum disease is common, yet many are unaware of the risks associated with it. In this post, we talk about what periodontitis is, how to tell if you might have it, and how to keep it from progressing. Read on to learn more.

What Is Periodontitis?

Periodontitis is a serious gum illness that destroys the soft tissue and, over time, the bone that holds your teeth in place. It often starts when bacteria in your mouth accumulate, causing plaque to build up on your teeth and gums fast.

As the infection develops, your gums may start to pull away from your teeth, creating more areas where bacteria can grow. The pockets can deepen and attract further bacterial growth. These areas become harder to clean and eventually cause irritation.

Without proper treatment, teeth can loosen and fall out.

What Are the Symptoms of Periodontitis?

Gums should be pink and snug. Otherwise, that could indicate gum disease. Other signs to look out for are bad breath, gums that are pulling away from the teeth, painful teeth, and loose teeth.

How to Keep Gum Disease From Developing

Maintaining good oral health is the first step to avoiding periodontitis.

Brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily to remove plaque and food particles that can irritate the gums. Make sure to visit your dentist for regular checkups, too. Your dentist can detect early signs of gum problems and provide the necessary treatment to prevent further damage.

Some risk factors, such as smoking, poorly managed diabetes, and genetics, may increase the likelihood of periodontitis. While genetics is included in the list of possible gum disease causes, there are several other contributing factors that you have control over.

You can protect your oral health by paying more attention to your daily habits.

What Are Treatment Options for Periodontitis?

The best treatment for periodontitis varies depending on how far along it is. For mild cases, regular dental cleanings and improved oral hygiene can help reverse the damage.

If the infection has progressed, the dentist may recommend periodontal therapy or scaling and root planing, which is deep cleaning of the teeth and gums to remove bacteria and plaque.

In more serious cases, surgery may be needed to remove broken bone and tissue and fix the shape and function of the gums.

Why Are Healthy Gums Important?

Keeping gums in great shape is crucial for maintaining good oral health and general health. The gum makes a tight seal around the teeth to hold them in place and keep bacteria out.

Poor gum health can cause germs and food particles to get in and around your teeth, eat away at the teeth, and cause them to fall out. Losing teeth can trigger more dental issues, so restoring gum health, when possible, is the best action to take.

How Can Your Dentist Help?

Your dentist can help identify early signs of gum disease and address them immediately.

Anyone, young or old, can experience gum problems. Delaying examinations can cause symptoms to progress and warrant comprehensive treatment. Your dentist can make a personalized treatment plan for you and keep an eye on your mouth health as you both work to get it back on track. If you feel there’s something wrong with your gums and would like to schedule an oral examination in NE Calgary, AB, please leave us a message at Rundle Dental. We’ll get in touch with you as soon as possible to assist you with your dental concerns.