There are a lot of things to take care of when it comes to your oral care, and we need to visit the right specialist to get the proper treatment. When it comes to dental treatments it can be hard to know if you should attend a specialist or visit your general dentist. But, if you are suffering from gum disease it is best to see our periodontal specialist or most commonly known as a periodontist to receive the appropriate treatment to stop the condition worsening.
Gum disease generally starts when the toxins in plaque cause infection and destruction of healthy gums. Sometimes this can affect the bone which supports the tooth if this is not addressed or treated. This is often considered similar to gingivitis as they are both gum diseases. Periodontitis is a form of gum disease that will also end up creating an impact on other areas of your mouth apart from gums like your teeth and tongue. This particular gum disease is caused by certain bacteria and by the local inflammation that is triggered by those bacteria. Although these periodontal bacteria are naturally present in the mouth, they are only harmful when the conditions are right for them to increase dramatically in numbers. This happens when a layer of bacteria and food debris, known as plaque, builds up and is left undisturbed on the teeth, commonly in hard-to-reach areas such as between the teeth.
Symptoms Of Periodontitis
It’s recommended to visit our periodontist if you experience any of the following symptoms:
-Bleeding while brushing: This is one of the most obvious signs that you should see a periodontist. Check carefully to see if your gums bleed when you floss or brush.
-Bad breath even after brushing and use of mouthwash.
-Loose teeth: If you have noticed that your teeth have begun to feel a little loose, you should definitely visit a periodontist.
-Teeth appearing longer than before: Although our gums naturally recede as we age, it shouldn’t be very noticeable. If you think your teeth look longer when you look in the mirror, this could be a sign of advanced gum recession resulting from periodontal disease.
-Painful chewing: Consult a periodontist if you find it difficult to chew or bite food.
-Puffy gums
-Swollen and tender gums
-A feeling of tightness or dull pain in gums
Causes
In most of the cases, the usual cause for periodontitis is plaque. But there are also other causes that may lead to periodontitis which you should be aware of. Once you experience any of these, precautions should be taken in order to prevent it leading to another gum disease. Consult your periodontist to make sure that your gums are safe:
-Formation Of Plaque: People consume a lot of sweets and over-consumption sometimes leads to the plaque developing on your teeth because of the contact with the bacteria which is present in our mouths. Plaque can be removed if you pay close attention to your teeth by making sure to brush twice every day. But even then, there are chances where the plaque will reform again because of the bacteria, which is why brushing your teeth is extremely important.
-Gum Inflammation: Once your teeth and gums lack the protection it needs, it will gradually lead to a bigger problem. Sometimes, the presence of plaque and bacteria won’t be detected with our eye, but gradually these will start producing more and cause pain to both your gums and teeth. They will start eating your teeth and slowly begin eating further by making you lose several teeth if not addressed or treated.
-Diabetes: This is considered as one of the risk factors where your gums might get an inflammation.
-Medications: Some medicines can cause an overgrowth of the gum tissue hence making it difficult to keep the teeth and gums clean.
-Hormonal changes in girls/women: During these changes, the gum tend to become more sensitive and help will make it easier for periodontitis to develop.
Regular follow-up appointments are extremely important to ensure that the disease process does not occur again, causing further destruction of the gums and supporting bone. Get your gums examined by our periodontist at the earliest.
