Gum Disease
Shawnee, KS
 There are a lot of nasty, ugly diseases out there right now. Of course, we have been hearing a lot about the Wuhan Coronavirus, but there are lots of other nasty diseases out there. The Black Plague, yellow fever, smallpox, and chicken pox are not diseases you want to get ever. In comparison, gum disease is not nearly as horrible, thank goodness. However, gum disease can have serious consequences for your mouth. Let Fay Periodontal Associates tell you more about gum disease and how we can help you prevent it.
What Is Gum Disease?
The name of gum disease explains a little about what it is. Gum disease is an infection of your gums, that is caused by bacteria. Those bacteria are present in your mouth all the time. Most infections are painful, which is the reason so many of us go to the doctor when an infection happens. However, gum disease isn’t usually painful in the beginning stages of the infection. You may be wondering how you can keep gum disease at bay if bacteria is present in your mouth all the time. You can minimize the amount of bacteria in your mouth when you brush and floss your teeth regularly. Using mouthwash can also help keep the levels of bacteria down as well. There is still a possibility you could get gum disease even if you maintain good oral hygiene.
What Are the Stages of Gum Disease?
Gum disease comes in three stages. Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease. There are millions of people in the US who suffer from this mild form of gum disease. Symptoms of gum disease in the first stage includes gums that are red and swollen. Your gums may bleed easily when you brush or floss them. We can treat gingivitis very easily, and if we catch it early, we can make sure that your gums don’t suffer any permanent damage.
In stage two of gum disease, it is called early or mild periodontitis. During the second stage of gum disease, your gums could be red and swollen. They could also be bleeding. Also, spaces develop in between your teeth and gums, that are called pockets. Once the pockets develop between your teeth and gums, infection can set into these pockets, which creates real problems for controlling gum disease. You may have other symptoms of gum disease at this stage. You might notice that your gums are separating away from your teeth. You may also have bad breath, no matter how much gum you use. You might also have a bad taste in your mouth that you can’t seem to get rid of. You may see signs of an infection along your gumline. We are able to treat the infection at stage two, but we may not be able to completely restore your gums.
Once you get to stage three of the disease, it becomes very serious. You may have shrunken gums, or you might notice that your teeth appear larger, become your gums are receding. You might also notice that your teeth are loose, due to the distance between your gums and teeth. You may have problems chewing your food. You might also notice problems with your other dental work if you have severe gum disease. They may not fit the way they used to. Do you have a problem with your gums? Let us help you. Give Fay Periodontal Associates a call at (913) 268-9300. |
