Could You Have Gum Disease?

Did you know 46 percent of adults over the age of 30 have some form of gum disease? That’s a big number that comes directly from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Gum disease is a painful, inflammatory condition that can cause you to lose your teeth, but the good news is it’s totally preventable. With regular dental checkups and a good oral hygiene regimen at home, you can avoid the problems associated with gum disease. However, noticing signs and symptoms that point to something wrong with your teeth or gums could be an early sign of gingivitis. Your dentist in Jacksonville, FL, can tell you more.

Symptoms of Mild Gum Disease

The more mild form of gum disease is called gingivitis. At this stage, you may notice symptoms that include:

• Blood when you brush or floss
• Gums that are discolored, puffy, or swollen
• Tender or painful gums
• Chronic bad breath
• Gums that appear to recede from teeth

At this stage, regular visits to your dentist and adherence to a strict brushing and flossing routine at home can cure the condition. Your dentist will clean your teeth thoroughly, paying special attention to plaque and tarter deposits. They may also recommend an anti-bacterial mouth rinse for use at home.

Symptoms of Severe Gum Disease

Periodontitis is a more severe stage of gum disease. This can develop when gingivitis is not treated. At this stage, the disease becomes much more noticeable as well as painful, and dental attention is required. Symptoms of periodontitis include:

• Formation of pus between teeth and gums
• Loose teeth
• Teeth that fall out
• Blackened areas of gum tissue
• Open bite

Treatment for periodontitis may include scaling, root planing, and oral antibiotics. In more severe cases, surgery may be required to stop periodontitis from advancing. You may also require restorative dentistry afterward to repair or replace damaged or missing teeth.

Help for Gum Disease in Jacksonville, FL

Your first line of defense against gum disease is to adopt a healthy oral hygiene routine at home. Second, you’ll want to become established with a reputable dentist. For help with gum disease in Jacksonville, FL, call Mandarin Dentistry today.

Sources

https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/fast-facts/gum-disease/index.html

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gingivitis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354459

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/periodontitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354473