Do I Have Periodontal Disease?

Wondering if you have periodontal (gum) disease? The milder form of periodontal disease, known as gingivitis, causes gums to swell and bleed. Fortunately, gingivitis is curable with treatment from a dentist. Gingivitis may progress to periodontitis if tartar is not removed from the gums over time. When tartar spreads beneath the gums, bacteria in the tartar damages and inflames the gums to form bacteria-filled pockets which break down bone and loosen teeth.

Identifying periodontal disease can be difficult because some symptoms may not manifest in early stages. Be cautious if you notice any of the following: tender gums or painful teeth-brushing, bleeding gums, loosening teeth or a change in the alignment of your bite, receding gums or teeth that look longer than normal, or mouth sores or pus around the teeth and gums. If you think you may have gum disease, ask us to examine your gums and check your risk factors.

Treatment of periodontal disease may vary with the severity of the infection, but control and reversal (where possible) are the goals of any treatment. Treatments may include deep cleaning, scaling and root planning, laser treatment, medications, bone/tissue grafts, tissue regeneration, tissue stimulation and flap surgery. Dr. Youssef Saad and the team at Pearl Smile Dental are well-versed in treating gum disease.

Periodontal disease is usually preventable with good oral hygiene. Brushing your teeth and flossing after meals, using mouthwash, and visiting your dentist regularly will help you prevent periodontal disease and related side effects. Stick to the dental hygiene essentials and your happy and healthy gums will stick to you!

To schedule a teeth and gum cleaning with our office in Fort Worth, Texas, please call us at 817-921-3400 today.