A recent study revealed that most people across the globe suffer at least one case of gum disease in their life. Gum disease is a painless condition that may cause your gums to turn red, swell, and bleed. In severe cases, periodontal disease can lead to teeth loosening, bad breath, and other problems.  Understanding the symptoms and consulting with your dentist can help you determine if gum disease treatment is right for you.

Symptoms of Gum Disease

The early stages of gum disease, known as gingivitis, are hard to detect because there is no pain. As a result, many people often ignore other symptoms, such as redness or swelling until the problem becomes worse. To ensure optimal gum and oral health, you should make an appointment to see a periodontist as soon as you notice any of these signs and symptoms:

• Bleeding while eating and/or brushing – healthy gums should not be so sensitive that they bleed while eating, brushing, or flossing. This is an indicator that they’re infected.
• Gum recession – receding gums cause your teeth to appear longer than normal. In advanced cases, the gum infection can spread to the jawbone, leading to loose teeth.
• Bad breath – persistent bad breath (halitosis) even with rigorous oral hygiene often indicates gum infection
• Deteriorated overall health – severe cases of gum disease can cause related health conditions to worsen when the bacteria infection enters the bloodstream and spreads to other parts of the body. Conditions that tend to worsen with diminishing oral health include diabetes, osteoporosis, osteopenia, and heart disease.

What to Expect with Gum Disease Treatment

Generally, a combination of proper at-home oral care with regular professional teeth cleaning is enough to keep your mouth healthy and disease-free most of the time. During routine dental visits, your periodontist performs a thorough examination to look for early signs of different oral problems, including gum disease.

But in case any of these symptoms arise before your next visit, you should schedule an appointment with your periodontist in Reedley CA immediately to receive prompt treatment and prevent the problem from escalating.