Periodontal disease (gum disease) is a very common condition, with roughly half of all Americans over the age of 30 with the condition. That’s roughly 
! Unfortunately, most of those with the disease have no idea they even have periodontal disease. With the early stages of the disease producing many mild symptoms, most people aren’t aware that what they are seeing is actually periodontal disease. As a result, it goes untreated, progressing to the point tooth and bone loss can occur. However, if you learn to spot gum disease symptoms in its early stages, it’s easily treatable.
Gum Disease Symptoms
Periodontal disease is caused by an infection due to an accumulation of bacteria, tarter, and plaque around the gum line. Preventing the condition requires keeping the mouth as free of bacteria as possible. However, even under the best of circumstances, periodontal disease can still develop.
Once periodontal disease begins, the symptoms are easily missed due to miseducation. One of the first signs of the disease is bleeding gums. Often, when a person has bleeding gums, they think it’s due to brushing too hard or believe that slight bleeding is normal, however, bleeding gums is never normal. Anytime there is bleeding from the gums, that’s an indicator you have periodontal disease and need to see your dentist.
Periodontal disease is also known to cause bad breath. For those who have persistent bad breath, this should also be an indication the disease may be present or that bacteria accumulation is getting out of hand. Other symptoms of periodontal disease in the early stages are redness and swelling of the gum, as well as irritation. Often, the gums will become painful and the teeth can begin to loosen.
When these symptoms become apparent it is known as gingivitis. While the early signs of periodontal disease may not be too severe and the progression is slow, when left untreated, serious complications begin to develop.
Complications of Gum Disease
When left untreated, gingivitis will progress to periodontitis. Once periodontitis has developed, the gum line will begin to recede. Tooth decay, tooth loss, and even bone loss can quickly develop, wreaking havoc on oral health. However, oral health isn’t the only area that’s impacted by periodontitis. Your overall health can suffer complications as well.
Periodontal disease is directly linked to causing additional health risks, such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. In addition, there is evidence that pregnant women with periodontal disease are more prone to having premature births. In addition, the bacteria in the mouth can cause lung infections, which is especially dangers for the elderly.
If you’re showing any signs of gum disease, you need to be evaluated by a dentist. At Los Fresnos Dental Center, we offer preventative services to combat the risks for periodontal disease. Should the disease develop despite preventative measures, we offer periodontal therapy to help reverse the damage of the disease. With periodontal therapy and restorative procedures, we’ll improve your oral and overall health, while repairing your beautiful smile.
