Signs and Symptoms of Periodontal Disease

Signs and Symptoms of Periodontal Disease

Jun 01, 2023

Regarding your dental health, periodontal disease is one of the most serious threats. It is a serious bacterial infection that affects the health of gums and regions of the jawbone. When not treated for longer, periodontal disease will spread further. Also, the underlying jawbone around the teeth will dissolve and no longer support the teeth. It results in tooth loss and other serious health issues. That is why getting periodontal treatment is pivotal to maintaining dental health in the long term. Its purpose is to reverse the effects of periodontal disease and prevent further damage by restoring your smile.

Symptoms of Periodontal Disease

Below are the most common signs of gum disease:

  • Constant bad breath.
  • Pus between gums and teeth.
  • Receding gums.
  • Tender, red or swollen gums.
  • Separating or loose teeth.
  • Partial dentures that do not fit properly.
  • Bleeding from teeth while flossing or brushing.
  • Change in jaw alignment and bite.

Treatment Options for Periodontal Disease

The dentist in Omaha recommends treatment depending on the severity of the periodontal disease. They can be invasive or non-surgical.

1. Non-surgical

Firstly, the dental professional begins with non-surgical treatment such as:

a) Deep Cleaning

Deep cleaning is a great treatment for addressing minor cases of periodontal disease. During the procedure, the dentist will eradicate the tartar buildup below and above the gum lining. It also includes scraping of the rough areas of the tooth. Deep cleaning is also known as scaling and root planing.

b) Medicines

The dentist may also use antibacterial medicines topically in the periodontal pocket or ask the patient to consume them orally. Although these medications are not sufficient to treat periodontal disease, they make deep cleaning more effective. Other medicines that the dental professional may prescribe include:

  • Antiseptic chip.
  • Antimicrobial mouthwash.
  • Enzymes suppressant.

c) Orthodontic Devices

The emergency dentist in Omaha may suggest night guards and orthodontic devices depending on the effects that periodontal disease is causing on your dental health.

2. Surgery

When Dr. Michelle Chang finds periodontal disease has reached an advanced stage, he/she suggests surgical procedures. These include:

a) Surgical Pocket Reduction

Surgical pocket reduction is an effective way to scrape off tartar accumulation in deep pockets or minimize them. It is also known as flap surgery and is effective in preventing infections from occurring in the future. During surgical pocket reduction, the professional will clean the deep pockets carefully, eliminating tartar accumulation after lifting gums to clean underneath them.

After that, the expert will suture the gums to fit more tightly surrounding the tooth. Periodontal pocket reduction surgery helps to minimize the size of spaces between gums and teeth and reduces bacterial buildup that could worsen periodontal disease.

b) Bone and Tissue Grafting

Periodontal disease can lead to serious bone loss around the teeth. So if there is a loss of gum tissue or jawbone due to periodontal disease, the dentist uses tissue or bone grafts along with surgical pocket reduction. During this, the professional will add an artificial or real bone in the region of loss. It helps to rebuild the lost tissue or bone.

But when it comes to the tissue grafting procedure, the dentist uses a soft tissue graft, which may be either tissue transferred from another region of the mouth or a synthetic material.

c) Periodontal Plastic Surgery

Periodontal plastic surgery is the treatment where the dentist creates a more attractive appearance of gum tissues by reshaping them.

d) Crown Lengthening Surgery

Crown lengthening is a process in which the professional exposes the tooth structure covered by the bone or gum tissue. The expert does this for securing a new crown or for cosmetic purposes. A crown lengthening treatment is effective in recontouring the gum lining and offers more tooth surface.

e) Laser Periodontal Therapy

During laser periodontal therapy, the dentist uses a laser to target the periodontal disease precisely. It has a short recovery time and is also a less invasive option.

Are You Experiencing Symptoms of Periodontal Disease?

Although periodontal disease is not painful, it is possible that you might not be familiar with it. Proper periodontal care and maintenance are essential to retain your teeth. As you know, active gum disease has a connection to other diseases like Alzheimer’s, heart stroke, arthritis, etc. Contact the best periodontist near you or visit Anding Family Dental – Omaha for periodontal treatment.

Click to listen highlighted text!