3 Warning Signs Of Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease, also commonly referred to as gum disease, is a common dental health issue that affects many people at various stages of their lives that is caused the buildup of bacteria in your gums due to improper dental hygiene over an extended period of time. Periodontal disease can make it extremely painful or uncomfortable for you to chew, and can cause all sorts of other dental health issues if left untreated. Fortunately, periodontal disease comes with a few warning signs that you can watch out for to determine when you should head in to the dentist's office to get your gums examined.
Chronic Bad Breath
One of the first signs of periodontal disease, and also one that will have ramifications throughout your day to day life, is chronic bad breath. This is caused by a buildup of bacteria in your gums due to improper dental hygiene, which can allow food particles to get stuck and bacteria to begin to breed. If regular brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash does not seem to eliminate the strong odor coming from your mouth, you likely have gum disease that will need a specialized treatment to kill the bacteria and eliminate your breath problem.
Inflammation and Sensitivity
In addition to causing bad breath, periodontal disease that is allowed to progress somewhat can also cause the inflammation of your gums themselves. This can make your gums and teeth much more sensitive to chewing and regular eating, as well as temperature fluctuations due to hot foods and drink. Beyond this discomfort, inflamed gums will also be extremely sensitive and fragile to external pressure, and may bleed if you floss or brush your teeth. This bleeding can open up the door to further infection, and can cause other dental health issues to manifest.
Loose Teeth
Finally, periodontal disease that is allowed to progress for some time without being treated can actually loosen the connection between your teeth and your gums, resulting in loose or wiggling teeth. If still left untreated at this point, your teeth can actually begin to fall out: you may not even notice pain due to the fact that your dental nerve has been deadened, so the sensitivity may be gone at this point. For this reason, if you notice that any one of your adult teeth is loose, you should immediately talk to a dentist and have him examine the state of your gums.
For more information, contact specialists like Kenneth Schweizer DDS PA.