Signs and Symptoms of Periodontal Disease
If you notice any of the following signs, you should immediately make an appointment to see your periodontist!
- Gums that bleed when you brush your teeth
- Red, swollen, puffy or tender gums
- Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
- Bad breath, that just does not want to go away
- Exudate or pus that is between your teeth
- A loose or several loose teeth
- A change in the way your teeth come together when you close your mouth
- Any change in the way your partial dentures fit
Additional Signs and Symptoms of Periodontal Disease
- Spaces forming between your front teeth or food impaction between teeth.
- Your bite feels uneven or uncomfortable.
- You have chronic headaches.
- Some teeth have become very sensitive or sore to your bite.
- There are bleeding gums either while you clean your teeth or while you chew.
- You suspect that some teeth are loose.
- You have that uncomfortable feeling of bad breath.
- You clench and grind your teeth.
- You have been told previously that you might have periodontal disease.
- You have lost some teeth, including wisdom teeth.
Treatment of Periodontal Diseases
Periodontal disease can be eliminated, or at least controlled, with the proper forms of therapy, and, if treated in its early stages. The degree of elimination depends upon how much of the supporting bone around the teeth has been lost, along with other factors. The age of the patient is a very important risk factor in designing the correct periodontal treatment. For example, a person with advanced bone loss who is in their twenties and thirties has a much more serious situation than a similarly diseased person who is fifty, sixty, or older. This is why an early diagnosis and beginning early treatment is of the utmost importance.Other Factors Contributing to Periodontal Disease
Although periodontal diseases are caused by plaque, a number of other factors can increase the risk, severity and speed of development of the condition.- People who smoke or chew tobacco are more likely to have periodontal diseases.
- Poorly fitting bridges, malocclusion (badly aligned teeth or defective restorations (fillings), can all contribute to plaque retention and increase the risk of developing periodontal diseases.
- Excessive biting forces on your teeth, such as clenching or grinding, may also accelerate the rate at which supporting bone is lost.
- Poor diet may cause periodontal diseases to progress more rapidly.
- Pregnancy or use of oral contraceptives increases hormone levels which can cause gum tissues to react more sensitively to the toxins in plaque and accelerate growth of certain bacteria. The gums are more likely to become red, tender and swollen and to bleed easily.
- Systemic diseases, such as AIDS or diabetes, can lower the tissues' resistance to infection, making periodontal diseases more severe.
- Medications - steroids, some types of drugs, cancer therapy drugs, some calcium channel blockers and many others - affect the gums.
