How to Spot Periodontal Disease

Taking inspiration from spring’s fresh beginnings, we decided that now’s the perfect time to raise awareness about periodontal disease – and its potential impact on your overall health.

Periodontal disease is an inflammatory disease that affects your gums and bone, the support structures holding your teeth in place. It can also affect your overall systemic health – the types of bacteria that cause periodontal disease have been linked to conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.

Pretty scary to start with, huh? Well, it gets worse. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), half of Americans aged 30 or older have some form of the disease, ranging from minor gingivitis to a more advanced form of periodontal disease!

Here are a few of the warning signs you should keep top of mind.

1. Swollen Gums – you may notice your gums are swollen and red. This is the body’s response to the presence of harmful bacteria. Excessive bleeding from simply brushing your teeth can be another indicator that you’re in the early stages of periodontitis.

2. Receding Gums – as periodontal disease worsens you may start to notice your teeth appear longer than they used to be. Left untreated periodontal disease starts to attack the soft tissue causing the gums to recede. As the gums pull away from your teeth the soft tissue is destroyed and can lead to bone loss. In severe cases you could eventually lose your teeth!

3. Bad Breath – one of the earliest indicators that something is “off” with your oral health is bad breath. As plaque and bacteria build up in your mouth the result is bad breath, or halitosis. Left untreated the bacteria can worsen leading to gingivitis and eventually periodontitis.

If you’re experiencing symptoms similar to these, we recommend giving our office a call to set up a professional cleaning. It’s never too late to tackle important health issues, and as we step out of this dark winter it’s the perfect time for a fresh beginning. Rest assured that your oral health is at its peak – call 859 441-0033 or Request an Appointment, today!