Periodontal Disease, better known as gum disease, is one of the leading problems that lead to tooth infections and long-term gum damage. It is an infection of the gums that can slowly damage them, cause bone loss, and put your teeth at risk. If you have Periodontal Disease, it can be treated with the help of a skilled periodontist. However, you have to know if you need treatment or not. Here are four signs you have periodontal disease.
Plaque and Tartar Buildup
Excessive bacteria in your mouth leads to plaque buildup along the gumline. It becomes a food source and breeding ground for bacteria, contributing to your gum infection. If you leave it long enough, it turns into tartar, which is harder to remove. Excessive tartar will be visible along the margin of the gum and will have a yellow or brown appearance. Having plaque or tartar buildup that you can’t get rid of is a sign of having Periodontal Disease. To cure either problem, you need a periodontist to remove the buildup and sanitize your gums.
Dark Gums
Normally, your gums should be a light red color and cover a good portion of your teeth. If they start to darken, that means that you have Periodontal Disease. It is an indication that your gums are heavily infected and need to be cleaned out and sanitized. A periodontist can do this with a deep-cleaning procedure called root scaling and planing. The periodontist will go in with a special tool and remove as much of the infected material as possible, sanitizing whatever is left. With proper care, this problem can be reversed.
Bleeding Gums
Healthy gums can stand up to brushing without any problems. If your gums bleed when you brush your teeth, then you likely have Periodontal Disease. Your gums are sensitive and the outer lining is weakened by the infection. So, brushing can stimulate your gums causing them to bleed. If this is the case, an appointment with a periodontist to have your gums checked should be made as soon as possible to make sure that the bleeding won’t lead to a worse problem.
Bad Breath
Persistent bad breath can be caused by a variety of reasons, but Periodontal Disease is a common cause. The bacteria that cause the infection also cause tissue rot and can smell over time. Since the infection is persistent, the smell is also persistent. If you try everything that you can to improve the smell, but it won’t go away, then it is likely that you need treatment for Periodontal Disease. Your dentist has several methods to remove the smell-causing bacteria. It is important that you maintain good health habits after the treatment to stop reinfection and the return of your bad breath.
Do You Have Periodontal Disease?
If you think that you have Periodontal Disease, then you should see a periodontist to confirm and have it treated. Periodontal Disease is entirely treatable with the help of a skilled and experienced periodontist. At Hudson Valley Periodontics and Implantology, we have extensive experience treating problems like Periodontal Disease. Make an appointment by calling us at 845-623-6666 so that we can help you cure your periodontal disease.