What Is Periodontitis?

When it comes to the health of your teeth and gums, it’s vital to address the health of the parts of your mouth that you can see. However, there may be issues beneath the surface that will lead to serious dental health problems if left unchecked. Periodontitis is a common dental health condition that often goes unnoticed because symptoms are not always immediately severe. Unfortunately, the condition progresses rather quickly. Before long, it can be both damaging and painful.

Defining Periodontitis

Periodontitis is an infection of the gum tissue inside the mouth. Over time, this infection will worsen, symptoms will intensify, and eventually, it may damage the roots of the teeth near the affected gum area. Periodontitis is a largely preventable condition. In fact, it’s not uncommon for those who have developed the early stages of periodontitis to overlook the early warning signs. In most cases, periodontitis develops due to poor oral hygiene.

Symptoms of Periodontitis

Everyone who experiences periodontitis will have a different experience, but the early and advanced symptoms are consistent for most cases:

• In the early phases of periodontitis, the gums may appear bright red or even look bruised.
• Periodontitis can cause bleeding of the gums during brushing and flossing.
• If you brush your teeth and your toothbrush appears tinged with pink, it is likely blood from damaged gums.
• Periodontitis can also cause persistent bad breath.
• As periodontitis progresses, it can eventually cause difficulty chewing.
• Affected gums will eventually recede, causing the teeth to appear much larger than usual.
• Eventually, periodontitis can cause gaps to form between the teeth, tooth damage, and even tooth loss.

Eventually, periodontitis will require professional treatment. One of the best ways to lower your risk of developing this condition is by consistently practicing good oral hygiene every day. Regular visits to your dentist can also help you catch early warning signs of periodontitis and help your dental care team track your dental health over time.

Finding Treatment for Periodontitis

If you suspect that you have developed periodontitis, it’s vital to see a dentist as soon as possible for corrective treatment. Depending on the stage of your condition, it may be possible to reverse early-stage periodontitis, but more advanced cases may require more extensive treatment. Depending on the severity of your periodontitis, potential treatments may include soft tissue grafts, guided tissue regeneration therapy, pocket reduction surgery, or application of tissue-stimulating protein gel.

It’s vital to seek treatment for periodontitis as soon as you identify symptoms. If your regular dentist is unavailable as soon as you would like, Emergency Dental Service can connect you with an Emergency Dental Care provider in your area. Call our 24/7 emergency care team today at 1-888-350-1340 or contact us online. We will help you find the best available dental treatment center near you.

This blog "What Is Periodontitis?" originally posted HERE.