One of the factors that is an integral part of your oral health is periodontics, which refers to the health and well-being of your gums. Being a vital part of your mouth, gums perform many functions such as providing a strong foundation for teeth, containing nerves and blood vessels that nourish teeth, and forming a tight seal around teeth to prevent tooth decay.
Periodontal disease is a condition when the well-being of gums is challenged and they get infected or decayed. Although periodontal disease is quite common amongst adults today, unfortunately, most people do not understand the close relationship between gum health, oral health, and overall health of their bodies. Due to this unawareness, most early symptoms of periodontal disease are ignored. Some periodontal diseases in severe stages can lead to tooth loss or bone loss. When diagnosed early, a dentist near you can prevent the disease from causing too much damage to your mouth.
Early symptoms of periodontal disease or Periodontitis
Early diagnosis is the only way to prevent periodontal disease from taking on a severe form. Let us see what the warning signs of periodontal disease are, that should tell you it is time to see a periodontal specialist near you.
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Swelling of gums- When your gums feel swollen it is a good idea to have them looked at.
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Bleeding of gums- If you see recurring blood when you brush your teeth or floss them, it is an indication that your gums are not completely healthy.
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Bad breath- Persistent bad breath is a strong symptom of periodontal disease.
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Discoloration or darkening of gums- The natural colour of healthy gums is light pinkish. If you notice your gums look bright red, greyish, or purplish, you should know that your periodontal health is at risk.
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Loosening teeth – Teeth feeling loose while biting or chewing is a clear indication of oncoming periodontal disease.
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Receding gum line – Sometimes, when your gums are infected, they begin to leave your teeth and move away from them. This is a strong indication of possible periodontitis.
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Teeth sensitivity – Teeth are connected to their roots embedded in the gums. If gums are infected, the roots of teeth become sensitive making you feel sharp sensations when eating very cold or hot foods.
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Pain in chewing- infected gums become tender and cause pain when in contact with food. If you are feeling increased pressure in your teeth or pain in the gums when chewing, it is likely that you have periodontal disease.
If you are experiencing any of the above-mentioned symptoms that are early signs of periodontal disease, you should not wait to contact a periodontal specialist in NW Calgary before the symptoms progress into a severe stage. Like most other diseases, prevention by timely intervention is the best way to fight periodontal disease. Being aware of the early symptoms of the disease is the first step towards good gum health.
While regular dental check-ups, teeth cleaning, and good oral hygiene practices like brushing and flossing twice a day can prevent periodontal disease, treatments for it are also available. Some of the treatments used to cure periodontal disease are:
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Scaling and root planing.
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Antibiotics
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Flap surgery.
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Bone grafting.
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Soft-tissue grafting.
In the early stages of periodontal disease, non-invasive methods like the use of antibiotics, scaling, and root planing might be sufficient to solve the problem. However, when the early signs are ignored or misinterpreted without consulting with a dentist, periodontal disease might escalate into a severe form that requires more intensive treatments such as bone grafting, soft tissue grafting, or flap surgery.
In an effort to avoid periodontal disease, if you are searching for a dentist in NW Calgary, we at Royal Vista Dental can answer all your questions and provide the best services in maintaining your periodontal health!