What are the signs and symptoms of gum disease?
If you are suffering from gum disease, you will experience some or all of the following:
- Flossing or brushing your teeth cause gums to bleed
- Red, swollen or tender gums
- Receding or shrunken gums
- Pus appears between your teeth when you press your gums with your finger
- Pain when chewing
- Buildup of calculus or tartar
- Teeth that seem loose or that change position
- Changes in your bite
- Changes in the way your partial dentures fit
- Bad breath or a chronic bad taste in your mouth
- Sensitivity to hot and cold
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What is Gum Disease?
Gum disease or periodontal disease is the single most common cause of tooth loss in adults. The gums become inflamed and the bone of the teeth become infected.
Gum disease is caused by plaque, a color-less film of bacteria that forms on the teeth. Plaque, if it is not removed, hardens to form tartar around the gumlines of the teeth.
The gums pull away from the teeth and small pockets form between the teeth and gums. Plaque fills these pockets and it becomes impossible for you to totally remove the plaque. Eventually, the bone structure supporting the teeth can be destroyed.
Causes of Gum Disease
- Impacted food, tobacco products, alcohol
- Improper use of dental floss and toothpicks.
- Poorly aligned teeth
- Unbalanced diet. Nutritional deficiency and the body's ability to fight off infection.
- Pregnancy. A temporary condition referred to as "pregnancy gingivitis" may occur due to fluctuating hormone levels.
- Medicines and drugs. Oral contraceptives, anti-epilepsy drugs, steroids and cancer therapy drugs may have a negative effect.
- Certain Diseases such as: diabetes, kidney failure, liver cirrhosis, anemia and leukemia.
Diagnosing Gum Disease
Diagnosing gum disease is done through an oral examination and mouth x-rays. A twice yearly oral exam and tooth cleaning is recommended for adults. At that time, an instrument called a periodontal probe may be used to measure the depth of the area/pocket between the tooth and the gum tissue. This measurement, along with x-rays, help determine the location, extent, and severity of gum disease.
Treatment
The type of treatment you require depends on how advanced your gum disease is. Some of the most frequent treatments may include:
- More frequent cleanings to prevent buildup.
- Scaling and root planing. This deep cleaning smooths the root surfaces so that the gum tissue can reattach to the tooth.
Patients throughout the Chicago metro area can enjoy the finest care with exceptional results at our convenient Lombard location. Dr. Blacher and his talented team look forward to helping you achieve a beautiful, healthy smile to last a lifetime!
Contact us today to book your appointment and to discuss any further information you require about gum disease.
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