It’s never too late to improve your oral health. While you can’t turn back the clock, you can prevent irreparable damage by spotting the warning flags early and taking action. The best way to do that? With regular dental check-ups. Using their professional expertise, your dental hygienist and dentist can quickly spot concerning symptoms, provide treatment, and give you valuable advice for home care. Ideally, you’ll be able to catch gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease, before it progresses into periodontitis. But if not, it’s important to keep an eye out for mild periodontitis symptoms.
Spotting the Early Signs of Periodontitis
Periodontitis doesn’t just happen out of the blue. So, first, let’s discuss how your gums might reach such a stage.
Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, develops gradually as bacteria infect the gum tissue and includes several unique stages. Gingivitis is the first stage.
Gingivitis
At this stage, your gums may be slightly swollen and red, and they might bleed when you brush and floss your teeth. However, the damage is mild and limited. And if the disease is caught at this point, you can actually reverse it by receiving treatment and improving your oral care routine.
Your dental team will professionally clean your teeth to remove plaque and tartar. Then, it’s up to you to keep your teeth and gums in good health until your next appointment. Brushing your teeth thoroughly twice each day with a soft-bristled brush and flossing at least once per day can prevent bacteria from lingering on your teeth and forming plaque, which eventually hardens into tartar. Developing a solid at-home oral health routine is essential.
If left untreated, however, gingivitis can progress into periodontitis.
Periodontitis
The earliest stage of periodontitis — and the second stage of gum disease — is mild periodontitis. Bacteria-harboring plaque and tartar form on the teeth and collect in pockets under the gums. You may notice the following mild periodontitis symptoms:
- Red or purplish gums
- Sensitive, swollen, and/or tender gums
- Bleeding when you brush your teeth or floss
- Gum recession
- Pockets where the gums have pulled away from the teeth
- Bad breath
At this stage, the condition may still be reversible. If you haven’t lost bone around your teeth due to infection, you may be able to repair the damage through diligent oral hygiene. However, if you neglect your oral health and/or skip dental appointments, and bone loss occurs, you won’t be able to recover the lost bone.
But that doesn’t mean all hope is lost or that you should give up! Professional treatment and thorough at-home oral care can ensure that the condition doesn’t progress. By halting the progression, you can avoid the worst repercussions of moderate and advanced periodontitis, which is critically important because, at its worst, the disease may cause tooth loss.
Finally, keep in mind that although personal oral hygiene habits are the primary cause of gum disease, other habits and conditions can increase your risk of developing gum disease. These include smoking, experiencing hormonal changes (common during pregnancy, puberty, and menopause), being diagnosed with certain diseases (diabetes, cancer, HIV, etc.), taking certain medicines, and having a family history of dental disease. If any of these apply to you, it’s especially important that you’re diligent about your oral hygiene and schedule regular dental check-ups.
_____
Have you noticed some mild periodontitis symptoms? Book a dental appointment ASAP!
If you’re looking for an experienced, reliable, and friendly dentist near Springfield, Missouri, contact Wilkinson Dental. Dr. Wilkinson and his team will give you the personalized treatment you deserve using state-of-the-art technology. For exceptional and comprehensive dental care, schedule your first appointment today by calling 417-708-0556 or requesting an appointment online. We look forward to hearing from you!