Many people experience bleeding gums, especially when brushing their teeth. This, coupled with loose gums, may signify periodontitis, a condition most people are unaware of. Bad breath, which is also a symptom of periodontitis, may affect how you conduct your day-to-day activities as you may not have the confidence to express yourself completely. This embarrassment will have a significant effect on your quality of life. Read below for the best periodontics in Midtown East Manhattan to get further information.
What is Periodontitis?
Periodontitis is a severe gum infection that injures the soft tissue and, when ignored, results in damage to the bone that supports your teeth. It may result in loose teeth or even tooth loss.
Periodontitis is usually a result of poor oral hygiene. Daily flossing, brushing twice a day, and regular dental checkups significantly reduce your chances of developing the disease and improve the chances of successful treatment.
Signs and Symptoms of Periodontitis
When gums are healthy, they are usually pale pink, fitting tightly around your teeth. Signs and symptoms of periodontitis may include:
- Bad breath
- Swollen gums
- Gums that bleed easily
- Purplish or bright red gums
- Tender gums
- Spitting blood when flossing or brushing
- Painful chewing
- Pus between gums and teeth
- Spaces developing between your teeth
- Teeth becoming loose or losing them completely
- Receding gums
Causes of Periodontitis
This condition’s development begins with the formation of plaque. Plaque is a sticky substance made up of bacteria found between teeth and gums formed from food substances that remain. Untreated plaque may advance to periodontitis in the following ways:
- Plaque can harden below your gum line to form tartar if it remains on your teeth. Tartar is harder to remove and is full of bacteria. It requires professional dental cleaning to get rid of.
- Plaque may result in gingivitis. Gingivitis is a gum disease characterized by irritation and inflammation of sections of the gum tissue on the base of your teeth.
- Gum inflammation eventually results in periodontitis. This results in deep pockets filled with tartar, bacteria, and plaque-causing loss of bone and tissue, eventually leading to loss of teeth.
- Some factors may increase the chances of getting periodontitis and include:
- Chewing or smoking tobacco
- Gingivitis
- Poor oral eating habits
- Obesity
- Genetics
- Hormonal changes
- Recreational use of drugs
- Vitamin C deficiency
- Conditions that reduce body immunity
- Medications that cause gum changes
- Diseases like Crohn’s disease or diabetes
Treatment
Treatment involves a dentist thoroughly cleaning pockets surrounding your teeth, preventing further bone and tissue damage. Non-surgical treatment plans include scaling, root planing, and antibiotics. Surgical treatment plans include soft tissue grafts, flap surgery, bone grafting, guided tissue regeneration, and tissue-stimulating proteins.
Periodontitis, when ignored, may cause much worse damage. Maintaining good oral hygiene is vital in preventing the occurrence of the disease. It would be best to normalize regular dental visits so your local dentist can uncover underlying issues that you may not be aware of. If you suspect you may have this condition check out our website or call our offices in Midtown Esat Manhattan, New York, to book an appointment.