About Periodontal Disease

Healthy gums play a vital role in your oral health. Indicators of healthy gum tissue include firm, pink gums attached to the teeth and supported by firm dense bone. How to prevent gum disease and keep your gums healthy:

• Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day
• Floss your teeth and gums regularly
• Do not smoke or use tobacco products
• Visit the dentist for regular dental cleanings

Symptoms of Gingivitis may include:

• Swollen or bleeding gums
• Bad breath or a metallic taste in the mouth
• Receding gums
• Increasing spaces between teeth
• Mild discomfort
• Diagnosing gum disease in this early stage is important before it progresses to periodontitis.

As gum disease progresses, it can lead to more advanced periodontal disease called periodontitis, which can compromise the bone supporting the teeth.

During Early Periodontitis:

• Increased inflammation in the gums
• Gums begin to pull away from the teeth, creating periodontal "pockets"
• These spaces collect food, plaque, and bacteria that can lead to infection
• Infection damages the surrounding bone
• Symptoms may not be noticed without regular dental visits until moderate periodontitis is present.

If left untreated, symptoms of periodontitis may become more severe as inflammation and infection spread, and you may experience more discomfort. In this stage of gum disease, you may lose more bone supporting your teeth, feel your teeth loosen even further, and your gums will continue to recede.

During this advanced stage of periodontal disease, you may experience painful abscesses resulting from the infection spreading beneath the gums. This level of disease will cause your teeth to loosen even further and is a leading cause of tooth loss in adults.