Recognizing Signs That You Have Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease is basically gum disease.

Before the inflammation of the gum tissues surrounding the teeth morphs into periodontal disease, it’s known as gingivitis.

However, not all cases of gingivitis progress to periodontal disease.

Signs of periodontal disease

Swollen gums
Red or purplish gums
Gums recede when pulled back
The gums are tender to the touch and bleed easily
Loose teeth because of the gums
Misaligned bite because teeth don’t fit together properly
Pus between the teeth

The above symptoms are typical for the three types of periodontal disease, with a few variations.

Chronic periodontal disease

This type of gum disease is prevalent in adults and is caused by the buildup of plaque.

The disease permeates the gums progressively with the above symptoms occurring in phases over long periods of time. This type of periodontal disease is primarily as a result of poor oral hygiene.

Aggressive periodontal disease

When gum disease starts in childhood or puberty, it’s usually a hereditary condition that runs in the family.

Unfortunately, aggressive periodontitis progresses rapidly and the time between the onset of the symptoms and actual tooth loss is very short and can have adverse effects when left untreated.

This aggressive form of gum disease affects a small population.

Necrotizing periodontal disease

This gum disease is the most devastating form of the condition according to periodontists.

The effects of necrotizing periodontitis include the death of the tissues, ligaments, and destruction of the bones around the teeth.

These effects are caused by a lack of blood supply to the tooth, which results in very severe infection. This type of infection occurs in people with a suppressed immune system like people undergoing chemotherapy, HIV infected patients, and even severely malnourished individuals.

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Periodontal disease can be avoided most of the time by focusing on sound oral health and having regular dental check-ups.

Dentist Los Angeles

Dr. Shervin Louie and his team are committed to providing you the highest standard of oral care. We supply each of our patients with personalized dental care in a gentle, efficient and professional manner. We trust you will find the atmosphere calming, the staff friendly, and our dental services exceptional. We offer a bevy of services including, teeth whitening, dental implants, porcelain veneers, Invisalign and dentures. We treat patients from throughout the LA area, including Larchmont Village, Hollywood, and Beverly Hills.