Periodontitis: Causes, Symptoms, And Treatment | Perio Protect Specialists in Stone Mountain GA
When we think about our oral health, our minds quickly go to our teeth. That makes perfect sense as our teeth are the part of our smile that is the first thing we see when we look in the mirror. But it’s important to recognize that our gums are just as important and if we don’t take proper care of them, then we may end up with issues like periodontitis. If you are looking for Perio Protect Specialists in Stone Mountain GA, we can help you.
What is Periodontitis?
Periodontitis is a very serious form of gum disease that can cause wide-ranging damage to your teeth. It’s the natural progression of inflammation and gingivitis then can get increasingly worse if not treated. It is a relatively common dental issue but has the potential to cause tooth loss and greater damage.
For periodontal disease treatment in Stone Mountain, GA, check out TranscenDental Smiles of Georgia
Symptoms
Some of the symptoms of periodontitis include:
- Swollen or puffy gums
- Bright red, dusky red or purplish gums
- Gums that feel tender when touched
- Gums that bleed easily
- Pink-tinged toothbrush after brushing
- Spitting out blood when brushing or flossing your teeth
- Bad breath
- Pus between your teeth and gums
- Loose teeth or loss of teeth
- Painful chewing
- New spaces develop between your teeth
- Gums that pull away from your teeth (recede), making your teeth look longer than normal
- A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
Causes
Periodontitis doesn’t just appear on its own but rather develops from milder forms of gum disease. Firstly, the plaque will form on your teeth when the starches in your food interact with your mouth's natural bacterias. This plaque will then harden in your mouth and develop into tartar. The plaque can be the cause of mild gum disease in the form of gingivitis. If left untreated, this can eventually evolve to become periodontitis, causing pockets to appear between your gums and teeth and be filled with bacteria. penis
Treatment
A periodontist will rely on a number of treatment techniques that can be both surgical and non-surgical.
The non-surgical options include scaling to remove the plaque and tartar, root planing which smooths over the root surfaces making further tartar buildup less likely. Finally, antibiotics will help control bacterial infection.
Prevention
Rather than relying on upon after the fact treatment, it’s best to focus on prevention. Following good oral hygiene practices like brushing and flossing as well as regular checkups is the best way to stop periodontitis from ever becoming an issue.
Summary
Periodontitis is a common yet dangerous problem that you will want to deal with asap. What begins as mild gum disease can soon spiral into a problem that has massive health implications if left untreated. On top of that, there are also nasty side effects like halitosis and pain that will make you miserable. So, if it is something you’re concerned about, then it’s worth getting a checkup with a periodontist.
If you need a periodontist in Stone Mountain, GA, contact TranscenDental Smiles of Georgia.