Gum disease is also called periodontal disease in Bowmanville, and it is extremely common. It is caused by bacteria in dental plaque and tartar, which infect the gums.
Over time, the infection spreads from the gums to other structures supporting teeth, including the jawbone. Without treatment, it can cause tooth loss in Newcastle.
One problem with gum disease is that the early signs are often undetected. The symptoms can be subtle and easily overlooked and may not cause any pain or discomfort.
Below are some of the signs to look out for.
1. Bleeding Gums
Gum disease makes the gums more fragile, so they bleed more easily. You may notice blood on your toothbrush or in the bathroom sink.
2. Swollen Tender Gums
The infection causes the gums to become swollen, and as it worsens, they can become tender. You may notice your gums look red, instead of a healthy pink.
3. Gum Recession
As the infection progresses and destroys gum tissue, the gums begin to recede. As they recede, they begin to pull away from your teeth, making them look longer and creating gaps between your teeth and gums.
Receding gums are often associated with older age, but they are not part of the aging process.
Consequently, you might notice your teeth start looking longer than before. You may also notice that your teeth feel increasingly sensitive, especially when eating anything hot, cold, sweet or sour.
This is because gum recession can expose tooth roots, which lack the protection of tooth enamel and are more sensitive to temperature changes.
4. Bad Breath or Nasty Taste
Because gum disease in Clarington is a bacterial infection, it can cause bad breath. Another symptom is noticing you have a persistently unpleasant taste.
5. Loose Teeth
Eventually, without treatment, advanced periodontal disease in Courtice will destroy the gums and bones around teeth, as well as the periodontal ligaments that hold teeth in their sockets. At this point, teeth can start to feel loose. You may also notice that your bite changes or gaps develop between some teeth as they start to move.
What to Do If You Think You Have Gum Disease
If you recognize any of the signs or are worried about your gum health, book an appointment with our dentist at West Bowmanville Family Dental. A dental exam will quickly determine whether you have gum disease and, if so, its severity.
The dental exam consists of a visual examination of your gums. A periodontal probe is used to measure the space between the gum and the tooth, to assess whether there is any gum recession, and, if so, how much.
Digital dental X-rays are useful in assessing the bone levels around your teeth. Using these images, we can see if any bone has been destroyed.
Treating Gum Disease
If we diagnose gum disease, we will provide a custom treatment plan detailing the procedures we recommend. These will depend on the degree of infection.
The simplest is a hygiene appointment, which may be appropriate if your gum disease is relatively mild, a condition called gingivitis. At this point, you may have noticed minor bleeding or that your gums have started to look swollen and inflamed.
A deep dental cleaning called scaling and root planing may be needed if the infection is more severe. This cleans your teeth professionally and cleans any exposed tooth roots.
A more severe infection may require a combination of nonsurgical and surgical treatments. Advanced gum disease can be chronic, requiring ongoing treatment to control it since it cannot be eradicated.
