Healthy gums are firm and pale pink and fit snugly around teeth. Signs and symptoms of periodontitis can include: Swollen or puffy gums. Bright red, dusky red or purplish gums.
In its early stages, inflammation around the gums is observable, with gum tissues appearing red and swollen. Gums that are easily irritated or that bleed during tooth brushing indicate the presence of Gingivitis.
Advanced Periodontal Disease: The final stage of periodontal disease is when the infection has evolved into disease-causing bacteria. It can cause redness, swollen gums that ooze pus, sensitivity, loosening of teeth, painful chewing, severe bad breath, and bone loss.
Left unchecked, your mouth can develop gingivitis, or a more serious gum infection, periodontitis (periodontal disease). It's important to note that once gum disease progresses into periodontitis the disease has become irreversible. Periodontitis cannot be cured, but only managed.
If you have advanced periodontitis, treatment may require dental surgery, such as: Flap surgery (pocket reduction surgery). Your periodontist makes tiny incisions in your gum so that a section of gum tissue can be lifted back, exposing the roots for more effective scaling and root planing.
After 2-6 months, the gums will be remeasured to assess the healing. Most people will experience some gum recession, and the spaces between their teeth will be bigger. This is normal, and allows easier access for cleaning, along with reducing the periodontal pocket to a normal maintainable range.
Only a dentist can diagnose periodontal disease. If you are suffering with any of the symptoms listed above, schedule a dental exam immediately to find out if you need periodontal treatment. If you are symptom-free, you still need to visit your dentist twice yearly for an exam.
Red Gums. Red gums are common among periodontal disease patients. Redness is usually accompanied by swelling, tenderness, and bleeding under pressure. In other words, don't ignore it when your gums bleed when you floss!
Over time, untreated gingivitis can develop into periodontitis. So, how long does it take for gum disease to develop? One study found that if you're starting from level 1 gingivitis, it takes an average of 66.8 weeks, which is a little over 15 months, to develop into periodontitis.
Signs and symptoms of periodontitis can include: Swollen or puffy gums. Bright red, dusky red or purplish gums. Gums that feel tender when touched.
Periodontal disease does not happen overnight but over time. There are four periodontal disease stages and they develop at different times. It's important to note each one so you can receive proper treatment.
To determine the presence of periodontal pockets, your dentist uses a probe to measure the depth and size of the sulcus. One to three millimeters is normal, as a toothbrush can still reach this depth. Pockets deeper than 4 mm, particularly with redness, bleeding and inflammation, require a degree of treatment.
Periodontitis is typically caused by poor dental hygiene. When you don't brush your teeth and clean in hard-to-reach places in your mouth, the following happens: The bacteria in your mouth multiply and form a substance known as dental plaque.
Periodontal abscesses usually occur in areas with periodontal pockets, in which deep spaces are generated around the teeth. They cause a dull, gnawing, localized pain but are not painful to percussion. The discomfort ranges from low intensity aches to severe acute pain.
At home, brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing daily will go a long way in preventing plaque buildup. Advanced gum disease, also called periodontal disease, cannot be reversed. However, our dentists are able to mitigate the damaging effects of periodontal disease through scaling and root planing.
Tooth Condition: If you have gingivitis, your teeth should be firmly in place, although your gums may be irritated, red and swollen. If a tooth or teeth are loose, it is more likely you have periodontitis.
Bleeding gums
Healthy gums don't bleed, but periodontal disease can make them more sensitive. If you notice bleeding gums when you brush or floss or at your regular dental cleanings, it may be a sign of periodontal disease.
Gingivitis is sometimes mistaken for periodontitis and vice versa. They are both stages of periodontal disease. But they are distinct things, so it's important to be able to tell which might be affecting you.
Gum disease is caused by a build-up of plaque on the teeth. If you do not remove plaque from your teeth by brushing and cleaning in between them regularly, it builds up and irritates your gums.
Periodontitis (also called periodontal disease) is gum disease. This infection damages the soft tissue around your teeth and wears away the bone supporting them. If left untreated, the disease eventually ruins the bone, loosening the teeth and causing them to fall out.
The prevalence of periodontal (gum) disease continues to be an important public health problem in the United States as 2 in 5 adults are affected by some form of this disease.
The CDC reports that nearly 50% of the population over the age of 30 has some form of periodontal disease. Luckily, the early stages of gum disease can be alleviated and reversed with proper dental hygiene, including flossing.
Gum disease can become a lifelong concern if it develops, but you can still lessen and control its effects with regular dental health care and maintenance. For more information, schedule a consultation by calling Syosset Dental in Syosset, NY today at 516-433-2211 or 516-921-6930.
Stage 3: Advanced Periodontitis
As the infection worsens, the pockets may also fill with pus. At this point your teeth might loosen or fall out. This stage of gum disease is irreversible, though dental implants (replacement teeth) are one option for people suffering from serious periodontitis.