Austin Bleeding Gums are Symptoms of Gum Disease
Do you have any of these Periodontal Disease symptoms?
- Bleeding gums when brushing or flossing
- Gum pain, sore gums, or swollen gums
- Receding gums or gum recession
- Red, swollen gums
- Pus between the teeth and gums
- Bad breath
- Loose, separating or flared out teeth
- Change in bite
- Changes in the fit of partial dentures
If so, schedule an appointment now to determine if you have periodontal disease.
I don’t have these symptoms. So, I must not have Periodontal Disease?
You may have periodontal disease but not experience any of these symptoms. Most people do not know they have periodontal (gum) disease until their dentist brings it to their attention. One of the reasons it comes as a surprise is that periodontal disease (also known as periodontitis, gum disease, or pyorrhea) is a silent disease. It rarely gives an advanced warning that tissue destruction is taking place because it has very few obvious symptoms in its early stages.
Often, only a dentist or hygienist can detect the early, subtle symptoms
These professionals are trained to look for:- Pockets - Pockets occur when the collar of gum becomes infected and detaches from the tooth - creating a space. This space is a "pocket." A pocket is not necessarily formed when food is stuck between teeth.
- Bleeding - Gums are not supposed to bleed any more than fingers, ears, or noses do on their own. However, when gums continue to bleed, many simply ignore it, as if it were "normal." Bleeding gums are not normal. When gums bleed, at the very least, a minor, reversible problem exists. Sometimes though, it is a sign that there are deeper problems, and without some kind of treatment, pockets and bone loss will continue to occur.
- Bone loss - Dental x-rays, taken at regular intervals, record bone levels surrounding the teeth. Subtle changes can be seen, and when they are observed, they are definite markers that periodontal breakdown is occurring.
- Loose teeth - Early signs of loose teeth are detected by the dentist or hygienist, not by the person. Looseness in teeth is a sign that something is wrong.
- Spaces forming between front teeth - In general, teeth do not shift their position. When front teeth flare out, it is due to advanced bone loss and the lack of tooth support that comes with progressive periodontal disease.
- Halitosis - Bad breath may be a sign that significant periodontal problems exist in your mouth. Once the periodontal problems are under control, bad breath will often go away.
- Abscess: Occasionally, the first time you know you have a gum problem is when you get a periodontal abscess. An abscess occurs when bacteria are trapped in a gum pocket. They have no way of escaping and the pocket expands, forming an abscess. If this is treated in time, little damage is done to your surrounding bone and tooth. Not treating an abscess in time can lead to rapid and severe bone loss. When this happens, additional periodontal treatment is needed.
I do not have pain in my gums. Won’t I at least feel some signs of gum disease?
Most of the time, if you start to develop symptoms such as pain, gum abscesses, and tooth mobility, the periodontitis is already very advanced. This is why even without pain or other symptoms, it is important to be proactive it the process of not only prevention but also early detection.
Periodontitis is a chronic disease, and it takes a long time to develop and can be characterized by short periods of rapid tissue breakdown, followed by long periods of stagnancy. Like all chronic diseases, periodontal disease does not go away. It will not get better by itself. It can remain silent and in remission, only to act up later. As the condition worsens, it is harder to treat successfully. That is why once gum problems are noticed or diagnosed, it is best to initiate treatment as soon as possible, and with treatment, a periodontal condition will be controlled and maintained.
How do you get Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease and decay are both caused by bacterial plaque. Plaque is a colorless film, which carries bacteria, and sticks to your teeth at the gum line; eventually it can cause gum inflammation and infection. By thorough daily brushing and flossing, you can remove these germs and help prevent periodontal disease. Brushing and flossing every day though, may not completely remove plaque, especially around the gum line. If not carefully removed, plaque hardens into a rough, porous substance known as tartar (or calculus).
Bacteria found in plaque produces toxins or poisons that irritate the gums, making them turn red, swell and bleed easily. If this irritation is prolonged, the gums will separate from the teeth and cause pockets (spaces) to form. Then the supporting gum tissue and bone that holds teeth in place deteriorate. If left untreated, the result is tooth loss.