Between 20% to 50% of the global population suffer from periodontal disease. If you’ve been diagnosed with the problem, you aren’t alone.
Like other patients, you may be wondering, “what is periodontal disease?”
If so, you’ve come to the right place. We’re going to explain all of the basics that you need to know.
Periodontal Disease Explained
Periodontal disease comes about as a result of inflammation and infection of the gums and bones that surround our teeth.
The early stage of periodontal disease is known as gingivitis. During this stage, you may notice red, swollen gums that may bleed easily.
As this progresses into periodontitis, the gums may pull away from the teeth, causing them to become loose and fall out. These patients can even lose bone.
Affecting mostly adults, periodontal disease is one of the biggest threats to dental health around the world.
Understanding Periodontal Disease
The causes of periodontal disease are well-known.
You have bacteria in your mouth at all times. If you don’t brush and floss well enough, this bacteria can become overgrown and begin infecting the tissues that surround your teeth.
Over time, this will cause inflammation around the affected tooth/teeth. This inflammation is what leads to periodontal disease.
Warning Signs of Periodontal Disease
If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should make an appointment with a dentist as soon as possible:
- Bad breath
- Consistent bad taste in your mouth
- Red gums
- Swollen gums
- Tender gums
- Bleeding gums
- Pain while chewing
- Loose teeth
- Sensitive teeth
- Receding gum line
- A change in the way that your teeth line up
- A change in the fit of your dentures
Dentists and other health professionals have associated all of these signs with periodontal disease. While the presence of one doesn’t confirm the diagnosis, you should see a dental professional to check on your dental health status.
Periodontal Disease Tips
Our number one tip for periodontal disease is to see a dentist regularly.
Even if you brush and floss regularly, you could run into dental problems. You need to see a dentist so that they can remove the bacteria that you weren’t able to get through routine cleaning.
Bacteria that stay in your mouth for long periods of time can form a film known as plaque. Over time, this plaque hardens to tartar, which is also known as calculus.
Because tartar can spread below the gum line, most people can’t reach it with regular cleaning tools. So, you have to see a dentist to ensure that you get the tartar out and prevent further progression of periodontal disease.
Check out the best dentist in Tarrytown, NY if you’re in the area.
So, What Is Periodontal Disease?
At the beginning, we asked the question, “what is periodontal disease?”
To sum, periodontal disease is a preventable gum disease that can cause major damage to your teeth, gums, and bones. If you’re not getting regular cleanings, you could be at risk of developing the condition and losing teeth.
To learn more about sneaky conditions like periodontal disease, check out the rest of our blog.
