Do You Have Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease, more commonly known as gum disease, is a very serious problem in the U.S. today. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that nearly half of all adults have some form of the disease!

Although severe gum disease symptoms are unmistakable, the mildest form of the disease generally causes relatively minor gum changes that are often easy to overlook. Fortunately, regular visits to your Lee's Summit, MO, dentists, Drs. Jamie Thurman-Taylor and Erica Ketchem of TLC Family Dentistry can help reduce your risk of periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease signs and symptoms

At this moment, you may have gingivitis (i.e. the mildest form of periodontal disease) and not even realize it. Gingivitis symptoms include receding gums and red, puffy gums that bleed easily. If you've ever noticed that your toothbrush looks pink after you brush or taste blood when brushing or flossing, you very well could be experiencing the onset of periodontal disease.

Breath odor can also be a sign that you have gingivitis, especially if your breath still smells bad despite the use of mouthwash and breath mints. Fortunately, it's often possible to reverse your symptoms simply by visiting your Lee's Summit dentist for a thorough dental cleaning. Improving your oral hygiene by brushing thoroughly and flossing daily can help you avoid another bout of gingivitis.

If you ignore your gingivitis symptoms, you may eventually notice:

• Pockets: Pockets are deep spaces that form when your gums begin to pull away from your teeth. Pockets quickly fill with debris, bacteria, and pus. A bacterial infection will worsen your breath and may damage ligaments, bones, and gum tissue.
• Increasing Pain: Not surprisingly, pain increases as periodontal disease worsens. Pain can intensify when you consume hot, cold or sugary foods/drinks.
• Loose Teeth: Damage to ligaments, bones, and gums may loosen your teeth. If periodontal disease isn't successfully treated, you may even lose some teeth.

If you have periodontal disease, you may need a deep cleaning to remove plaque and tartar both above and below the gum line. In severe cases, surgery may also be needed to close pockets and add bone or gum grafts to your mouth.

Fortunately, it's fairly easy to avoid these consequences by making good oral hygiene a priority and visiting your dentist every six months for a checkup and dental cleaning. 

Concerned? Give us a call

Could the changes in your gums be a sign of periodontal disease? Call your Lee's Summit, MO, dentists, Drs. Jamie Thurman-Taylor and Erica Ketchem of TLC Family Dentistry, at (816) 537-6161 to schedule an appointment.