What Are the Beginning Signs of Gum Disease? General Dentistry OKC
Gum disease is the #1 cause of adult tooth loss in OKC. Unfortunately, a lot of people don’t realize that gum infections can cost them their smiles. By recognizing the earliest symptoms of periodontal disease, Oklahoma City gum disease treatment with Saxon Dentistry can reverse infection before the damage becomes permanent.
Early Signs of Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease. Thankfully, gingivitis is 100% reversible. The key is to catch it early and incorporate a great oral hygiene routine each day. The most common symptoms to watch for include:
- Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
- Slightly swollen gumlines
- Red or irritated gums
- Mildly tender or itchy gums
Gingivitis can usually be reversed with two solid weeks of impeccable oral hygiene. If symptoms don’t improve, you may have periodontal disease.
Symptoms of Periodontitis (Gum Disease)
Untreated gingivitis will gradually progress into moderate gum disease. At this point, your gum tissues will start to detach from your tooth and create “pockets” underneath them. These pockets tend to become filled with plaque bacteria and tartar buildup, contributing to additional infection, detachment, and bone loss.
Depending on how severe your gum disease is, symptoms will include the above-mentioned signs of gingivitis as well as:
- Receding gumlines
- Visible tartar buildup
- Loose teeth
- Sore teeth when biting or chewing
- Halitosis
- Food getting stuck when you eat
- Visible spaces between teeth
- Tooth loss
Dangerous to More Than Just Your Smile
Your mouth isn’t the only thing that suffers when gum disease goes undetected. Chronic periodontal infections can also strain your immune system and make it more difficult for your body to fight co-existing medical problems. We’ve seen from extensive research that people with unmanaged gum disease are also more likely to struggle with diabetes, stroke, heart attack, high blood pressure, pneumonia, ED, infertility, and premature labor. There might even be links between gum disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and various cancers.
Treating your oral infection boosts your immune system and makes other treatments more successful.
Gum Disease Treatment
The best OKC gum disease treatment is early screening and intervention, while gingivitis is still reversible. But if you don’t catch gum disease until bone loss begins, a series of deep cleanings will likely be prescribed. These soft tissue therapy visits help eliminate the source of infection to halt additional bone loss, stabilizing your smile for the years ahead.
Bleeding Gums? Call Our OKC Dentist
Dr. Saxon offers in-house gum disease treatments for our patients with active periodontal infections. If you have swollen or bleeding gums that don’t respond to brushing and flossing, it’s time to schedule an exam and professional dental cleaning. Contact Saxon Dentistry today to reserve your next appointment.
