Periodontal Disease Symptoms: Warning Signs You Should Know

Early Symptoms of Periodontal Disease

Here are a few early periodontal disease symptoms to keep in mind:

1. Bleeding Gums

The bleeding of gums is something you might notice during brushing or flossing. This is one of the earliest signs of periodontal disease. Frequent bleeding of gums can be due to gingivitis, which is the inflammation of gums and one of the initial stages of gum disease. It happens due to plaque building, which causes inflammation and irritation in tissues. This can later turn into severe periodontitis if left untreated.

2. Red, Swollen, or Tender Gums

Another early sign of periodontal disease is inflammation of gums, which are red, swollen, and tender. This, too, happens due to plaque formation, which causes a bacterial infection and is reversible with proper oral care.

3. Persistent Bad Breath (Halitosis)

Persistent bad breath, also known as halitosis, can also be an early symptom of periodontal disease. The bacteria present in plaque release toxins that are responsible for the bad odour in your breath. Typically, this bad breath should go away with brushing, flossing, or using mouthwash. However, if the odour is still persistent, you should visit a dental hygienist.

4. Gum Recession

Gum recession happens when the gum tissues pull away from the tooth, revealing more of the tooth and its roots. This gum recession makes your teeth appear longer and makes them more prone to sensitivity due to the exposed roots. At this stage of symptoms, it is apparent that your teeth are now at an advancing stage of periodontal disease, where the supporting bones and tissues are deteriorating.

Advanced Symptoms of Periodontal Disease

With the advancement of periodontal disease symptoms, it becomes difficult to manage or lessen the effects through personal care. Without immediate treatment, your teeth might face some severe and irreversible damage. Here are the advanced signs of periodontitis:

1. Tooth Sensitivity

While tooth sensitivity is a common symptom of several gum and tooth infections, advanced periodontal disease can also cause tooth sensitivity. This is usually the aftermath of a tooth recession. With exposed roots, the sensitivity of teeth worsens over time, making them more prone to pain and discomfort whenever you take hot and cold food.

2. Pus Between Teeth and Gums

With the progression of periodontal disease, you might notice an alarming and unusual change, which is the presence of pus between your teeth and gums. The pus is a mixture of bacteria, dead white blood cells, and debris. Its immediate removal and gum treatment is necessary to prevent further damage.

3. Loose or Shifting Teeth

As periodontal disease advances, the supporting structure of teeth, including gums ligaments, gets weakened. This can cause the teeth to become loose or shift out of their place. You then start to notice obnoxious gaps between teeth, which might get painful and difficult while chewing or even while speaking. These loose teeth eventually end up falling out.

Why You Shouldn’t Ignore These Symptoms?

Ignoring the above symptoms can leave you with serious consequences. The damages will be irreversible and, in worse cases, untreatable as well. This is even more concerning for individuals with diabetes, as diabetes and teeth health are also directly connected. Uncontrolled diabetes can slow down healing and increase the severity of gum infections. Proper care of diabetes and oral hygiene is essential to prevent complications.

However, you can prevent it altogether by making frequent visits to the dentists. And to do so, you must only go to a trustworthy, professional dental clinic like Complete Smiles. They can not only provide regular dental check-ups, but they can also treat your periodontitis if you’ve managed to catch it early.