Periodontal disease is the dental term used to technically refer to an inflammatory disease caused by bacterial infection within the gums of the mouth – which dentists call the periodontal part of the mouth. The word “periodontal” actually means “around the tooth.” So when we talk about periodontal disease that just means an infection that is around the tooth as opposed to in or on the tooth itself. The gums wrap the teeth at the base, so periodontal disease is pretty much just another way of saying gum disease.
The first signs of gum disease – or periodontal problems – are usually rather easy to spot, and if you brush and floss your teeth every day you should be able to detect any warning signs of periodontal disease. Just like when you hurt a finger or bump your head there is swelling, soreness, and discomfort, the same applies to the gums. If they get in trouble you’ll soon know it because they will be sore, look puffy or swollen and inflamed, and they will be sensitive and bleed easily. Brush across the periodontal area of your mouth, for instance, and feel to see if it hurts to just gently rub the toothbrush bristles over those gums. Are they a healthy pink color or do they look an angry shade of red? Do they feel slightly stimulated like a tickle, or do they hurt and start to bleed from just a small amount of rubbing or pressure? When you floss, do your gums hurt and keep bleeding? Check yourself for these kinds of clues, and if you have overly sensitive gums that bleed more than they should you may want to consult your dentist to see if you have some form of gum infection or periodontal disease.
Of course if are not in the habit of regular brushing or flossing, the gums will probably be swollen and susceptible to easy bleeding. In that situation you may find that after a few routine times of brushing or flossing, they return to normal and stop bleeding. That means that just by taking care of the gums yourself with daily oral hygiene you are able to get them back to their healthy condition once more. But if the soreness or bleeding is a regular thing, then it is highly recommended that you see a dentist soon – before the problem gets worse.
Delaying – and letting periodontal infections worsen and spread – can have terrible consequences. Gums can start to pull back from the teeth, exposing the root, and if this condition persists the tooth will die. Diseased gums can also cause bad breath, and they can swell and puff up to make your smile no longer attractive. In the most serious cases of gum disease that is allowed to go untreated, the infection may quickly more into the body’s bloodstream. Then you are at greater risk for such things as heart disease.
Many times the gum infection starts not with the gum but with the tooth. As the tooth gets covered with plaque – a layer of built up debris on the tooth caused by not brushing or cleaning – the plaque fosters bacteria. The bacteria grows, looks for something to sustain itself on, and then it attacks the gums and spreads as the infection migrates and colonizes other portions of the mouth. That’s why going to see a dentist every few months to have teeth professionally cleaned – and plaque removed before it can build up – is one of the easiest and most painless ways to avoid a bout with periodontal or gum disease. ___________________________________
Author Resource:-
Dr. Karl Smith has been in dental practice for over twenty-seven years. His specialties are periodontics, dental anesthesia and implants. People come from near and far to experience the comfort and professionalism of his office and patient-oriented staff. http://www.drkarlsmith.com
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