Here at Pearly Whites Dental, we work hard to prevent periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease is very common in adults. It is caused by all of the bacteria in our mouth that forms plaque on our teeth. Without routine brushing and flossing, it continues to build up, forming tartar.

People with periodontal disease can have red and swollen gums that bleed quite easily. It may be hard for them to eat because their teeth are so sensitive. They may be missing teeth. Some people with periodontal disease have very bad breath.

Gum disease is often silent, meaning symptoms may not appear until the advanced stages. However, warning signs of gum disease include the following:

• Red, swollen, or tender gums or other pain in your mouth
• Bleeding while brushing, flossing, or eating hard food
• Gums that are receding or pulling away from the teeth, causing the teeth to look longer than before
• Loose or separating teeth
• Pus between your gums and teeth
• Sores in your mouth
• Persistent bad breath
• A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
• A change in the fit of partial dentures

We diagnose periodontal disease by examining your teeth. We also use a probe to look for any problem areas. X-rays are also necessary to diagnose the disease.

A good professional cleaning is necessary to remove the tartar from your mouth and underneath your gums. If your periodontal disease is bad, you may need to follow up your brushing and flossing with antibacterial mouth rinse. You may even need to use an antibacterial gel or start on oral antibiotics to help to get rid of the disease. Sometimes surgery is necessary to help with the deep pockets of infection.

Once your periodontal disease is under control, good home care with brushing and flossing should help keep it from coming back.

If you are concerned that you may have periodontal disease, don’t hesitate to contact us today!