When to See a Dentist About Your Gum Pain

It’s important to understand and recognize the symptoms of gum disease. Untreated Gingivitis, one of the early stages of gum disease, will lead to Periodontitis, which can cause tooth loss, severe damage, and other dental issues.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is the mildest type of Periodontitis and is usually caused by poor oral hygiene. The first symptoms may involve gum swelling and bleeding when flossing and brushing. While most folks believe it is normal for gums to bleed while brushing, this is not true. If you notice blood when brushing, make time to consult with a dentist as soon as possible. Sometimes people do not notice any symptoms. When this happens, overtime, Gingivitis can become aggravated and develop into serious periodontal disease.

In addition to poor oral hygiene, factors such as inadequate or poor diet, puberty, stress, smoking, diabetes, and aging can increase the risk of developing Gingivitis. Also, certain medications sometimes negatively impact gum health.

Periodontitis

If someone suffers with Periodontitis, the gums pull away from their teeth and form pockets which become infected. The bacteria that is formed in those pockets irritate their gums, and as a result, their body begins to break down the soft tissues and bones to protect their teeth from damage and hold it into place. Ultimately, the damage increases and their teeth become loose and fall out or need to be professionally extracted.

Types of Periodontitis include:

• Aggressive Periodontitis: This type of periodontitis generally affects younger patients than does the chronic form and results in rapid destruction of the periodontium which can lead to early tooth loss in the affected individuals if not diagnosed early and properly treated.
• Chronic Periodontitis: This form of Periodontitis is most the typical form and results in progressive attachment, bone loss, and inflammation of supporting tissues. Adults mainly suffer with this form of periodontal disease; however, it can happen at any age.
• Necrotizing Periodontal Disease: It’s a form of infection characterized by necrosis of periodontal ligament, gingival tissues, and alveolar bone. The infection is most commonly observed in someone suffering from HIV infection, malnutrition, etc.

Our team of dedicated dental professionals at Phelps Family Dentistry are ready to help you achieve optimal oral health. Give us a call at (910) 762-3481 to schedule a dental check up and oral health screening.