Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is extremely common and can affect people of all ages. Inadequate treatment and delayed diagnosis may result in gum recession and tooth loss. Gum disease progresses through four stages and can cause a lot of pain as it progresses. There are several questions surrounding this disease. Our dentists at South Airdrie Smiles have addressed all the queries that will help you to have clarity about this gum infection.
What Is Periodontal Disease?
Before jumping into the other sections let us first find out what is periodontal disease. It is an infection of your gum tissues. Once the disease starts spreading it could cause you severe pain and discomfort. In the initial stages, it is known as gingivitis which is manageable and can even be reversed. However, as it advances you start noticing painful canker sores which could even lead to tooth loss if left unchecked.
What Causes Periodontal Disease?
Your favorite Airdrie dentist has decided to list down several causes of the disease so that you can start taking preventive measures before it hits you.
- One of the main causes of periodontal disease is the excessive accumulation of plaque. No wonder your Airdrie dentist stresses regular brushing and flossing. That is the only thing that can protect you from periodontal disease.
- A crowded mouth can also lead to gum disease since misaligned teeth cause them to overlap. This makes it difficult to reach these areas to ensure proper cleaning.
- A proper diet is crucial to avert periodontal disease. Make sure you have plenty of water and Vitamin C in your diet
- Smoking and chewing tobacco can be your worst enemies when it comes to good oral; health. Tobacco can harm your gum tissues and make them more susceptible to bacterial infections.
- Some medications can reduce your saliva formation and lead to a dry mouth. A dry mouth is an ideal breeding ground for harmful microbes. To ensure that your medicines do not affect your gums, it is best to discuss them with your dentist in Airdrie.
- If you have a family history of gum disease, then it is essential that you let your dental hygienist know about it. Sometimes it could increase your chances of suffering from the infection.
Periodontal Disease Stages
Your infection can be classified into four stages based on its severity. They are specified below.
- Gingivitis
- Early Periodontitis
- Moderate Periodontitis
- Advanced Periodontitis
In the beginning, which is gingivitis, your dentist in Airdrie can manage and even reverse the infection. However, as it aggravates further, it becomes extremely difficult to control and leads to gum pockets and ultimately to tooth loss. Hence timely diagnosis is necessary to tackle periodontal disease.
Signs & Symptoms Of Periodontal Disease
There are certain warning signs that can help you to understand if you are suffering from this condition. Some of them have been listed below
- Constant bleeding
- Sudden dentin sensitivity that does not go away even when you use specialized toothpaste
- Swollen gums
- Difficulty while eating and chewing
- Painful canker sores filled with pus
- Huge gum pockets
- Teeth shifting from their original location
These are some of the indicators that can help you notice if you are suffering from gum disease. Proper treatment and timely diagnosis is key to averting gum disease
We hope this blog helps you to make more informed decisions when it comes to gum disease. Looking for the best periodontal disease treatment in Airdrie, AB? Get in touch with us at South Airdrie Smiles and enjoy our dental care services.
