Don't Ignore These Signs Of Periodontal Disease

Is your toothbrush pink after you brush? The problem could be caused by periodontal disease, also known as gum disease. Dr. Mehul Patel and Dr. Heba Abuhussein at South Shore Dental in Trenton, MI, and serving the Riverview, Woodhaven and Brownstown areas, share information on signs of periodontal disease.

Gingivitis signs

Gingivitis, the first and mildest stage of gum disease, occurs when your gums become inflamed or swollen. Poor oral hygiene is a common cause of gingivitis. If you don't brush or floss regularly or don't do a good job, plaque builds up on your teeth and eventually turns into tartar, a hard deposit that can damage your gums. Gingivitis symptoms include:

• Red, puffy, sore gums
• Bleeding after brushing or flossing
• Receding gums
• Bad breath

Severe gum disease signs

If gingivitis isn't treated, you may develop periodontitis, a gum infection. In addition to all of the symptoms of gingivitis, you may also develop deep spaces around your teeth called pockets. Pockets form when your gums start to pull away from your teeth. Your gums help hold your teeth in place. If receding gums and pockets develop, your teeth may start to loosen. Loose teeth may also occur if bacteria begins to weaken your jawbone. You'll eventually lose teeth if your periodontal disease isn't treated.

If you notice pain when you eat, or it seems as if your teeth don't fit together the way they once did, an infection in your gums may be the cause. Visible pus around your teeth and very bad breath are other signs that you have severe gum disease.

How is gum disease treated?

If Dr. Patel or Dr. Abuhussein notice that your have gingivitis when you visit our office, they may recommend a deep cleaning, a procedure that removes plaque and tartar from above and below the gum line. After your deep cleaning, it's important to brush and floss regularly to prevent a recurrence. If you have severe gum disease, you may need surgery to remove diseased gum tissue and close the pockets around your teeth. In some cases, gum grafts may also be used to replace lost gum tissue.

Do you have any of these periodontal disease signs? If you do, schedule an appointment with Dr. Patel and Dr. Abuhussein at South Shore Dental in Trenton, MI, and serving the Riverview, Woodhaven and Brownstown areas, at (734) 219-6754 to make an appointment.