Detecting Periodontal Disease

Gum or periodontal disease is the inflammation of your gums and tissues that hold your teeth in place. It’s often caused by poor flossing and brushing habits. You can notice red, bleeding and swollen gums, and when left untreated, it spreads to the surrounding bones. Some signs of gum disease include pain when chewing, sensitive teeth or persistent bad breath.

Early periodontal disease detection is essential for preventing its progression. Timely detection means you will get treated with a non-surgical technique like root canal therapy or deep cleaning. At Southland Dental Care, we offer oral health education and solutions and teach patients about gum disease risks, prevention, and treatment.

Understanding Periodontal Disease

Experts associates poor oral hygiene with periodontal disease, or what is commonly known as gum disease. Healthy gums are firm, and they don’t swell or bleed. However, gum disease can cause bleeding, discoloration or swollen gums.

The breakdown of tissues in your dental formula happens gradually. Unfortunately, most people don’t experience pain during the early stages. Therefore, it’s essential to pinpoint the warning signs, and a Southland Dental Care periodontist will offer prompt treatment based on the progression of the disease.

Definition and Stages of Periodontal Disease

The gum disease progresses in four stages:

Stage 1: Gingivitis

Being the earliest stage of periodontal disease, you may not experience warning signs. It often starts with bleeding gums when you floss or brush. The patient doesn’t experience bone loss. This means advanced gum disease detection can reverse this condition.

Stage 2: Mild Periodontitis

Untreated Gingivitis advances to mild periodontitis. In this case, your gums lose bone and pull away from the teeth. As a result, you end up developing periodontal pockets. Bacterial and plaque stick in these pockets, leading to a bad smell.

Stage 3: Moderate Periodontitis

Mild periodontitis advances to a moderate stage where your teeth lose more bone. Bacteria continue to erode the soft tissue and ligaments that support your teeth. The result is tender and sore gums.

Stage 4: Advanced Periodontitis

The severe stage makes your teeth looser and can fall out. More so, there’s often infection and pus around the gum line. This leads to halitosis, which is one of the major periodontal disease symptoms.

Early detection of gum diseases offers a chance to reverse the condition before reaching the severe stage. That is why dental diagnostics for periodontal disease are essential for a healthy dental formula. A professional periodontist conducts a dental examination for gum disease and offers a viable solution based on how far the disease has progressed.

Periodontal disease risk factors and causes

The development of gum diseases starts with the plague. When plaque stays on teeth, it hardens to form tartar, which is harder to remove. You can’t remove it by flossing or brushing when it gets to this stage. You’ll require a periodontist to remove it.

The possible risk factors include:

• Poor oral hygiene
• Hormonal changes
• Diabetes
• Using tobacco or smoking
• Heart disease
• Genetics

Signs and Symptoms of Periodontal Disease

Healthy gums fit securely around your teeth and are firm to touch. Healthy gums vary in colors, ranging from light pink to brown and dark pink in some people. So you can easily tell the early signs of periodontal disease. You can notice symptoms such as:

• Gums that feel sore or tender when touched
• Loose and loss of teeth
• Bleeding gums
• New spaces between your teeth
• Bad breath that doesn’t disappear even after brushing twice a day
• Receding gums
• Spitting out blood during flossing or brushing

The earliest signs of periodontal disease include swollen and bleeding gums. You can also notice some blood when eating an apple. The symptoms progress to Gingivitis, and when it goes untreated, you’ll be experiencing severe periodontitis.

Diagnostic Procedures

An examination is the only way to assess your gums’ condition accurately. Moreover, clinical examination combined with X–rays helps assess the condition of your bone. A periodontal probe provides information on whether your gums are healthy or the periodontitis is present.

In your first check-up, a dental hygienist or dentist can carry out an essential periodontal examination to determine the health of your gum. The depth of gum line penetration is measured accurately and gently. Further investigations are only carried out if there is advanced damage to the structures.

Dentists use innovative dental diagnosis tools like cone beam computed tomography, biochemical and microbiological, and digital radiography. These tools help identify teeth pockets, assess bone levels, and plan effective periodontal disease treatment options.

Role of Dental Professionals in Detection

Preventing periodontal disease starts with an early check-up by your periodontist or dentist. A professional look for plaque buildup and asks about any symptoms you might have experienced. Your periodontist measures pockets around the teeth using a periodontal probe. The diagnostic tool tells how deep the pockets are or how loose your teeth are.

Additionally, dental X–rays come in handy to show areas of bone loss. These images also show how the bone structure has changed over time. Although periodontal disease isn’t curable, you can manage it with appropriate treatment. That is why professionals advise you to have dental health check-ups at least once a year.

The importance of regular dental visits

Make a point of having regular periodontal disease and oral health check-ups to prevent it. Don’t wait until you have a problem to book an appointment with your dentist. Regular dental visits benefits include the following:

Early Detection of Mouth Cancer

Apart from checking for gum disease, a periodontist can examine early neck, head, and mouth cancer signs. They will check lumps on your neck or head and any white or red patches in the mouth. These checks may not find anything unusual, but they can possibly save your life.

They Prevent or Catch Gum Disease Earlier

Periodontists solve problems and prevent them as well. Potential issues they can spot include dental decay and gum disease. Therefore, it’s crucial to be proactive in visiting your dentists regularly.

Personalized Treatment

A dentist is trained to provide guidance and treatment you can trust. Another importance of dental check-ups is getting personalized treatment to suit your needs and budget. Your dentist has experience tailoring support and advice to enhance oral health.

Innovative Technologies in Periodontal Diagnosis

Dental technology for gum disease has improved over the years. Technological advancements are making it easier for periodontists to diagnose, manage and treat complex dental problems. The latest technologies, such as scaling and laser therapy, are painless and effective non-surgical periodontal treatments.

Using state-of-the-art equipment offers faster, painless, and efficient treatment. More so, these technologies have significantly improved patient satisfaction and comfort. As a result, dentistry is becoming more pleasant for both children and adults.

Preventive Measures and Early Intervention

Because gum disease has become prevalent, it’s good to have some helpful tips to avoid it. Following good oral habits is great for your oral health and keeping your gums healthy. Some preventive measures include:

• Practicing good oral hygiene habits
• Avoid tobacco and smoking
• Watch what you put into your mouth
• Get regular and professional dental care
• Minimize your stress levels

As we said earlier, periodontal disease isn’t curable but reversible in its early stages. So, book regular appointments with your dentist for early detection and treatment. More so, remember to have an effective oral hygiene routine.

Treatment Options for Periodontal Disease

Non-surgical periodontal treatments are fast and non-invasive options. These options include periodontal therapy, antimicrobials, and tray delivery system. The techniques reduce inflammation and are less expensive compared to surgical treatments.

Surgical treatments for gum disease happen where non-surgical treatments are not efficient. They enhance the appearance and function of your gums, jaws, and teeth. However, these strategies are costly.

The Importance of Patient Education

Periodontal health education can equip patients of any age to make effective changes to prevent gum disease. As a result, it boosts your patient’s comfort, happiness and health. At Southland Dental Care, we’re committed to educating patients to facilitate meaningful life changes. Empowering patients with knowledge enhances their oral health literacy and builds trust.

Conclusion

Early periodontal disease detection prevents its progress and avoids surgical procedures. Gum disease is generally painless in its early stages. So it’s easier to treat, prevent further progression and minimize the risk of losing teeth.

If you’re looking for reliable dental care in Sherman Oaks, is your starting point for dental health. Our team of experts will assist in solving your periodontal issues for improved dental wellness. Schedule a free consultation with our periodontists now.