Learning to Take Better Care of Your Family's Teeth

3 Warning Indicators That You Need Gum Disease Treatment

Periodontal or gum disease is a leading threat to oral health. It is an infection of the gums, and it slowly causes damage and bone loss. According to the NIH MedlinePlus Magazine, nearly half of Americans above 30 years have periodontitis, a more severe form of periodontal disease. If left untreated, periodontal disease can cause tooth infections and permanent gum damage. 

It is crucial that you pay extra attention to your gums to prevent gum disease. However, because this disease is often painless, the symptoms aren't always obvious. This makes it difficult to determine if you have the disease. Continue reading this article to learn if you should seek treatment for periodontal disease.

1. Bleeding and sore gums

If your gums bleed after brushing and flossing, you may have gum disease. Failure to brush and floss your teeth regularly can cause bacteria buildup below the gums and weaken the outer lining. This can cause bleeding every time you brush. If this is the case, you should seek periodontal disease treatment as soon as possible to prevent the problem from worsening.

2. Persistent bad breath

There are several reasons why you may have bad breath, including gum disease. Fortunately, you can easily get rid of bad breath by brushing regularly or using fresh breath mints. However, if you always have bad breath, you most likely have excessive bacteria, which produce smelly gases. If this applies to you, it's crucial that you maintain good oral health habits and visit your dentist for periodontal disease treatment.

3. Gum recession

If you have recently noticed that your teeth look longer, you may have gum disease. This disease affects the gums, causing them to recede away. Eventually, the depth of the periodontal pockets increases, and removing the food becomes more challenging. Accumulation of food and debris in the pockets also makes them get deeper, and gum disease can quickly worsen.

Although gum recession is often associated with aging, it can also be caused by applying too much pressure when brushing or using a toothbrush with stiff bristles. However, if using a soft toothbrush doesn't solve the problem, you may need to visit a dentist to examine your oral health. If the gum recession is severe, ensure that you get periodontal disease treatment as soon as possible.

Gum disease is popular but difficult to detect, and it can worsen if left untreated. Therefore, when you observe one or all the above signs, visit a periodontist for treatment. 


Share