What Does Gum Disease Look Like? Ask a Periodontist in Plattsburgh!

When it comes to your oral health, you might only focus on your teeth and whether you have cavities or not. But that’s only part of the picture! Teeth need a solid foundation of healthy gum tissue and bone support to keep them in place. Gum disease can destroy these supportive structures. If it goes untreated, it can eventually cause the teeth to become loose and fall out.

So, how can you tell if you have gum disease? As a periodontist in Plattsburgh (also called a gum specialist), we spend a lot of time educating our patients about what to look for and what type of treatments are available to them. Keep reading to learn more!

What Are the Symptoms of Gum Disease?

Although the only way to have gum disease diagnosed is to have a dental exam, here are some of the symptoms you might notice on your own:

• Bleeding, Redness or Tenderness – These symptoms are usually among the first signs of gum disease and are all associated with inflammation. Healthy gums don’t hurt or bleed!
• Chronic Bad Breath – If you notice an unpleasant odor, even right after brushing and flossing, you may have deep “pockets” around your teeth that collect plaque and odor-causing bacteria. In healthy gums, these pockets are 1-3mm and can be easily cleaned with brushing and flossing. Gum disease causes these pockets to get deeper, which makes it difficult for you to keep them clean at home.
• Abscesses – Abscesses indicate a concentrated area of infection. They’re usually quite painful and will appear as a pimple-like bump or swollen area on the gums. Schedule an appointment as soon as possible if you notice an abscess.
• Loose Teeth – In advanced stages of gum disease, you might notice that your teeth feel like they move when chewing or have become loose.

Although untreated gum disease has serious consequences, the good news is that there are some easy things you can do manage it!

How Can You Keep Your Gums Healthy?

Your best option for effective and targeted gum therapies is seeing a ‘periodontist near me.’ After an initial evaluation, your periodontist will recommend the appropriate steps to take, which will include both in-office treatments and home hygiene tips:

• Scaling and Root Planing – Also called a “deep cleaning,” this procedure involves thoroughly cleaning the tartar and bacteria from under the gumline and smoothing the roots so that bacteria can’t re-attach to them. You’ll be numbed beforehand for comfort.
• Periodontal Maintenance – This procedure is a specialized maintenance cleaning for patients with gum disease and is recommended on 3, 4 or 6-month intervals.
• Excellent Homecare – Even with great professional care, what you do at home is just as important! Brushing twice a day, flossing at least once and using any special tools your periodontist recommends are extra important for patients with gum disease.

Knowing the signs to look for and which treatments can help is crucial to managing this condition. Remember, having gum disease doesn’t mean you have to lose your teeth!

About the Author

Dr. Gordon Davis is a periodontist whose goal is to help his patients have a healthy smile for as long as possible. He knows how important it is to recognize the early signs and symptoms of gum disease and get treatment to prevent tooth loss. If you have any questions, he can be reached via his website or at (518) 563-0040.