Do You Need to Get Screened for Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal literally means “around the teeth.” It’s a disease that attacks both your gums and the bone that supports your teeth. You may be surprised to learn that 80% of people have some form of periodontal disease and many have no idea. It can go hidden because it’s typically relatively painless in its early stages but even a minor case should be treated.

Signs and symptoms of periodontal disease: Do you have them?

While everyone is different, there are some signs that you may have a case of periodontal disease. The most common symptoms are:

• Bleeding gums. Many people believe that it’s normal for gums to bleed occasionally but the truth is that your gums shouldn’t ever bleed – even when you’re flossing or brush vigorously.
• More space than you used to have between teeth. This can be a sign that you’re losing bone.
• Pus around your gums or teeth. This shows that there’s an infection present and should be looked at right away.
• Puffy and / or red gums. Your gums shouldn’t ever be red or swollen.
• Loose teeth. There are many reasons your teeth could be loose, including the loss of bone or periodontal fibers that have weakened. Both these issues can be associated with gum disease.
• Bad breath. Everyone has bad breath sometimes but if you have it constantly or frequently then it may be a sign that you have excess bacteria in your mouth – which can be a sign of periodontal disease.
• Receding gums. If your gums are damaged by disease they’ll recede from around your teeth. This leaves your teeth vulnerable and can exacerbate the consequences of gum disease.
• Discomfort and / or tenderness. Periodontal disease is associated with excess levels of tarter, plaque, and bacterial. All three of these can irate your gums and teeth, leading to discomfort, pain, or tenderness.

If you have any of these symptoms then you’ll want to contact California Dental Group right away. The earlier we begin your treatment, the better the results are likely to be.

There are treatment options for periodontal disease

The right treatment for periodontal disease depends on how severe the disease is. If it’s at an early stage and there hasn’t been and damage yet then a few dental cleanings may be enough. We’ll also give you some information on how you can improve your oral hygiene .

On the other hand, if your disease has progressed then a specific cleaning may be needed. It’s called scaling and root planing, or deep cleaning, and is done while your mouth is numb. During this procedure, we’ll remove toxins, tarter, and plaque from before your gum line. We may also recommend medicated mouth washes, an electric tooth brush, or medications.

If you’re worried about periodontal disease then we urge you to call California Dental Group at (800) 407-0161 right away. We can assess your situation and let you know what the right moves forward are. When you choose us, you’re in good, experienced, and compassionate hands.