Maintaining a healthy and beautiful smile is about a lot more than just cleaning your teeth. Infections can occur, intensify, and then spread in oral tissues as well. Today, our Novato periodontal dentists are talking about infections in gum tissue, specifically. Keep reading to learn more!
What is periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease is an advanced state of gum disease. At this point, harmful oral bacteria have infiltrated the patient’s smile, and the patient is at risk of developing oral health problems, like tooth loss, as a result. This is why it’s so important to have gum disease treated promptly, before it can turn into periodontal disease. Delaying treatment puts you at risk.
How do I know if I have it?
First and foremost, your dentist will be able to tell you whether your gum tissue is infected, and, if it is, how advanced the infection is. There are, however, some symptoms that you may notice at home:
- Persistent bad breath
- Gum tissue that is receding or pulling away from the teeth
- Red or swollen gum tissue
- Teeth that are shifting along the gum line or that seem loose
- Bleeding gums, especially when you floss your smile
How do I treat periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease is treated differently depending on the severity of the infection. In its earliest stages, gum disease may be effectively treated with professional cleanings and a few simple updates to your at-home oral hygiene routine. If the infection is more advanced, however, you may need to undergo more extensive professional cleanings, as well as restorative treatments to re-grow and repair gum tissue.
Our Novato gum disease dentists encourage you to reach out to your dental team as soon as you notice symptoms associated with gum disease. This type of infection can progress rapidly, and it is much easier, faster, and cost-effective to treat it in its earliest stages. To learn more, or to schedule your personal consultation just give us a call!