Gum disease is a common topic of discussion when it comes to dental care. You’ll hear it mentioned in advertisements for dental products and warned about by your dentist. For all the conversations that happen surrounding it, you may not have a clear understanding of the details surrounding this threat to your dental health. In its most advanced forms, it can result in loose teeth, or the loss of teeth altogether. Even more concerning is its ability to damage your jawbone. The good news is periodontal disease is able to be prevented.
Where does Gum or Periodontal Disease Come From?
Put simply; periodontal disease is a condition that occurs when bacterial growth is allowed to occur in the mouth unabated. This is most commonly the result of poor oral hygiene, but can also be the result of medical conditions that impact our ability to fight off these bacteria. Other conditions that may result in the formation of periodontal disease include:
- Pregnancy and Menopause related hormonal changes
- Obesity
- Use of recreational drugs, including smoking and vaping
- Medications that have dry mouth or changes in the gums as side-effects
- Medical conditions that impact the immune system, such as Cancer, HIV/AIDS, and Leukemia.
- Diseases such as Crohn’s disease, diabetes, or rheumatoid arthritis
What are the Symptom Of Gum Disease?
There is a range of symptoms that can indicate the presence of gum disease, with multiple symptoms indicating a more advanced case of periodontal disease. The simplest of these are gums that are puffy or swollen, gums that bleed or feel tender when touched, or persistent halitosis (bad breath). Other symptoms that reveal the presence of gum disease include:
- Pain that occurs when chewing
- The appearance of spaces between the teeth
- Gum pocketing, or places where the gums pull away from the teeth
- Changes in bite caused by teeth becoming loose or moving out of position
- Teeth that have become loose or are falling out
These symptoms indicate that a visit to your dentist is in order before the condition has the ability to advance any further. A variety of dental treatments are available that can stop or reverse the damage caused by periodontal disease if it is caught early enough. As the condition advances, it’s usually possible to stop it in its tracks, but lasting damage may have occurred that cannot be repaired or requires costly treatments to reverse.
Periodontal disease is a potentially serious, but preventable and treatable disease. Preventing gum disease starts with good oral hygiene, but an essential tool in preventing it is regular, twice-yearly visits with your dentist. Under the guidance of Dr. Bob Dokhanchi, Fox Valley Dental Care Aurora provides comprehensive treatment options for dental concerns in Aurora, IL. When you call our offices, we’ll schedule you an appointment to address your concerns and provide you guidance on how to manage and prevent periodontal disease. We look forward to welcoming you and your family and making you part of our patient family.
