Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is a common dental condition. When you have gum disease, it means an infection is present in the tissue that supports and surrounds your teeth. Unfortunately, you risk worsening decay and tooth extraction if you don’t treat periodontal disease. Its main cause is plaque, a sticky form of bacteria that develops on your teeth over many months and years. Eventually, plaque attacks the gum tissue and causes an infection. Most people with gum disease are unaware that they have it because its symptoms don’t normally cause any pain.
Indications You May Have Gum Disease
Since most patients don’t realize they have periodontal disease until it has reached the advanced stages, knowing its symptoms is important. Please schedule an appointment with Dr. Jason Dulgarian at Citrus Valley right away if you notice any of the following:
- Your gums bleed more often after you brush or floss your teeth
- Your gums are red, swollen, or tender to the touch
- Dental restorations don’t fit as securely as they once did
- A tooth or several teeth feel loose
- Despite consistent brushing, flossing, and mouthwash use, you continue to have bad breath
- A portion of your gums are pulled away from your teeth
- Your bite strength or the alignment of your top and bottom teeth seem different
Gum disease threatens your oral health as well as increases your risk of developing diabetes and heart disease. It isn’t something you want to ignore.
Factors That Increase the Risk of Gum Disease
Not maintaining a consistent oral hygiene routine is the biggest reason that people develop periodontal disease. However, other factors contribute to it as well. Even when you take excellent care of your oral hygiene, the following factors increase the risk of gum disease:
- Diabetes, whether diagnosed or not
- Being pregnant
- Genetic predisposition
- Chewing or smoking tobacco products
- Misaligned or crowded teeth that are difficult to keep clean
- Regular use of steroids, anti-seizure medication, oral contraceptives, or certain cancer drugs
Please inform Dr. Dulgarian if any of these risk factors apply to you when you visit Citrus Valley for a preventive care exam. This allows him to customize an at-home plan so you can stay ahead of gum disease.
Treatment of Gum Disease
Dr. Dulgarian and his hygienists record their observations of your gum health at every preventive care appointment. If you already have gum disease, we may recommend root planing and deep cleaning. This is sufficient for most patients to reverse their periodontal disease. Oral surgery is a last resort after trying more conservative treatment methods first.