Most people know periodontal disease as “gum disease.” It’s a common and often quiet oral health problem that affects a lot of adults around the world. It’s mostly caused by germs getting into the gums and bones that support the teeth, which makes them swell up. Early detection of the signs of gum disease is important for stopping it from getting worse and avoiding serious problems, such as losing teeth.
What does periodontal disease mean?
Periodontal disease is a group of disorders that affect the gums and bone around the teeth. It starts with gingivitis, which is the mildest form and is marked by gums that are swollen, red, and bleeding. If you don’t treat gingivitis, it can get worse and turn into periodontitis, a more serious condition in which the gums pull away from the teeth and form pockets that get infected. Periodontal disease destroys the underlying bone and connective tissue over time, which causes teeth to fall out.
Signs of Periodontal Disease Early on
Gingivitis: In this early stage, the gums are swollen and red. Red, swollen gums that bleed easily when you brush or floss are signs of this stage of periodontal disease. If you take care of your teeth and get regular professional cleanings, gingivitis can often be fixed.
Poor Breath: Bad breath that won’t go away even after brushing or flossing can be an early sign of gum disease.
Getting worse to periodontitis
The signs of periodontal disease get worse and more damaging over time.
Receding Gums: At this stage of periodontal disease, one of the most obvious signs is gums pulling away from the teeth, which makes the teeth look longer than they really are.
Sensitive Teeth: Tooth roots that are exposed because of gum recession can make teeth more sensitive to hot and cold weather.
牙周病症狀 that are getting worse
When gum disease is further along, the signs are worse:
Loose Teeth: When gum tissue and bone get weak, teeth can come loose or shift. This is a very bad sign of periodontal disease.
Painful Chewing: If you have trouble or pain while chewing, it could mean that your gum disease is getting worse.
Pus Between Teeth and Gums: If you have pus in the spaces between your teeth and gums, it means that the infection is getting worse.
Change in Bite: If you have gum disease, you may notice a change in how your teeth fit together when you bite.
Why and how it happens
Periodontal disease starts and gets worse because of a number of things, including
Poor Oral Hygiene: If you don’t brush and floss properly, bacteria can build up and cause gum disease.
Tobacco Use: The chance goes up a lot if you smoke or chew tobacco.
Genetics: Some people are more likely to get gum disease because of their genes.
Age: Being older is linked to a bigger risk.
Nutritional Deficiencies: Not getting enough of certain nutrients, like vitamin C, can hurt the health of your gums.
Medications: Some medicines can have an effect on your mouth health.
Other Health Conditions: Conditions like diabetes and changes in hormones can make the chance higher.
How to Tell If You Have Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease is diagnosed by dentists by looking at the gums, noting how deep the gum pockets are, and checking for loose teeth. X-rays may also be used to see how much bone loss there is.
Choices for Treatment
How you treat gum disease depends on how bad it is:
Professional Cleaning: If you get it done by a professional, they can get rid of plaque and tartar early on.
Scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning procedure that doesn’t involve surgery. It includes scraping tartar off of the gum line and smoothing out rough spots on the tooth root.
Medicines: Antibiotics and other medicines can help lower the risk of infection and swelling.
Surgical Options: If the gum disease is very bad, surgery may be needed, such as flap surgery (also called “pocket reduction surgery”) or bone and tissue grafts.
Stopping and Managing
Several steps must be taken to stop the start and worsening of gum disease symptoms:
Regular oral hygiene: Flossing every day, brushing twice a day, and using mouthwash can help get rid of plaque a lot.
Regular dental check-ups: Going to the dentist every six months is important for early diagnosis and treatment.
Healthy Lifestyle: To avoid gum disease, it’s important to eat a healthy diet, stop smoking, and take care of health problems like diabetes.
How important it is to be aware
It is very important to teach people about the signs of gum disease, its risks, and how to avoid getting it. Knowing that healthy gums are an important part of general health can help you stay healthy.
In conclusion
Periodontal disease is a common mouth health problem that can be avoided. If you catch and treat the signs of gum disease early, you can stop it from getting worse and causing serious health problems. To avoid and control gum disease, it’s important to take care of your teeth and gums, make changes to your lifestyle, and see your dentist regularly. Don’t forget that healthy gums are important for a healthy mouth and body.