Gum Diseases – Symptoms and Treatments

Did you see a bit of blood in the sink after you brushed your teeth? Bleeding gums could be a warning sign that you might have a gum disease.

There are different forms of periodontal diseases ranging from simple inflammation of the gums to major soft tissue and bone damage.

As it progresses, gum disease can cause teeth loss too. So it’s better to treat the condition quickly.

Here are some symptoms that will help you determine if you have a gum disease and how to treat them.

Symptoms

Some symptoms of gum disease are:

1.  Swollen or Red Gums

Having swollen or red gums is usually one of the first signs. Typically, the gum disease starts with inflammation along the gum line, making it appear raw and tender. Gums also bleed easily while flossing or brushing your teeth.

2.  Bad Breath

Having bad breath can be another symptom of you having a periodontal disease. The bacteria are attracted to the plaque on your teeth and gums.  The more plaque you have, the bigger the party for the bacteria. They release toxins which irritate your teeth and gums and cause you to have a bad breath.

3.  Gums Get Smaller

If you feel like your teeth look bigger than they were before, your gums are shrinking. When you have a periodontal disease, the bones in your jaw begin to break down. This causes the teeth to separate from the gums, creating pockets. This condition is known as receding gums.

Any of these symptoms can suggest you have gum disease. It is important that you contact your dentist right away. Ignoring them can lead to more serious periodontal diseases.

Gum Disease Treatment

If you have periodontal disease, worry not. There are plenty of treatment options available that will have you smiling in no time. Here are a few gum disease treatments that will prove to be beneficial for you.

1.  Scaling and Root Planing

In this treatment, the periodontist removes all the plaque from the teeth and gums through a deep-cleaning method known as scaling and root planing. In scaling, the tartar is scraped off from both below and above the gum line.

Root planing gets rid of all the rough spots on the root of the tooth where germs usually gather and help with the removal of bacteria that are the root cause of this disease. A laser can also be used to perform the deep cleaning procedure.

2.  Flap Surgery

It is possible that you might need a surgical gum disease treatment. If the inflammation runs deep, flap surgery could be performed to remove the tartar deposits in deep pockets. In flap surgery, the gums are lifted back and the tartar is removed thoroughly.

3. Bone and Tissue Grafts

If your periodontist believed that some bone and gum tissue needs help regenerating, they perform bone and tissue grafts. In the bone grafting procedure, synthetic or natural bones are placed in the area where there is bone loss.  Tissue regenerating technique is also used with bone grafting. This procedure requires mesh-like materials to be inserted between the gum tissue and the bone. It keeps the tissue from growing into the area which is meant for the bone.

Scheduling regular visits to your dentist will not allow any future gum diseases to progress.  You can make an appointment today with Periodontal Specialists.