Straight Teeth in Less Time
3 Signs You Have Periodontitis
Lois Murray
Periodontitis is the advanced form of gingivitis. It is a gum disease that, if left unchecked, can cause all kinds of problems up to and including tooth loss. You must know the signs of periodontitis to take action as soon as possible. The sooner you check it out, the better off you're going to be. The longer you have gingivitis or periodontitis, the more gum loss you experience, and replacing the gum you've lost requires grafts and oral surgery. So, what are some things that you should look for as signs that you have gum disease?
Bleeding Gums
One sign that you're dealing with gingivitis or periodontitis is that your gums bleed when you brush your teeth. Many people think that bleeding gums during toothbrushing is normal, but that's because it happens every time they brush their teeth. Healthy gums do not bleed when you brush them. You need to talk to your dentist if you start noticing any blood on your toothbrush, even a slight pink. Your dentist will be able to tell you if you have the start of gum disease and give you some suggestions on how to handle it.
Receding Gums
Another sign that you have periodontal disease is that your gums are receding from the roots of your teeth. Your gums recede because they are damaged and destroyed by periodontal disease. You may not notice that they are receding at first because you are used to looking in the mirror at yourself, and receding gums is not a fast process. However, your dentist, who only sees you a couple of times a year, will be able to see the difference and tell you what you need to do to deal with the receding gum line. The more your gums recede, the more root of your tooth is exposed, which puts your tooth at risk of falling out.
Wiggly Teeth
As your gums recede, your teeth aren't as secure as they have been. That means that your teeth wiggle around. You might feel like a kid again because you have wiggly loose teeth. However, if your teeth fall out, no tooth fairy will bring you money.
Periodontitis is a severe disease. If you think that you have gum disease, talk to your dentist. There are several things that your dentist can do for you to help you fight off gum disease and keep your mouth happy for a long time. For more information on periodontal disease, contact a company near you.
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I had braces when I was a kid. Back then, you had to wear those metal wires and rubber bands for what seemed like forever. When I saw that my child’s teeth were going to be crooked like mine, I was dreading the years of braces and orthodontist appointments and limited diets that I saw stretching ahead of us. I was pleased to find out that braces today are very different from braces when I was a kid. They don’t need to be worn for nearly as long, and they aren’t as intrusive, either. My daughter got braces that can barely be seen, and she can remove them when she eats, so she doesn’t have to give up her favorite foods. I was so impressed that I started a blog to talk about modern day tooth straightening techniques. Braces have come a long way.