Periodontal
Disease:
Early Detection and Treatment
You have just completed your regular dental checkup. You breath a deep sigh of relief. "No cavities, but your gums are in poor shape." You are mistakenly relieved. The sad fact is that more teeth are lost because of periodontal disease (gum disease) than from any other factor, including cavities.
Fortunately, it can be treated successfully if it is diagnosed early. Unfortunately, you have no way of knowing of its onset other than by dental examination because there is normally no pain or other symptom in its early stages.
Once this silent disorder advances, though, the gums and even the jawbone may become inflamed and eventually break down. The five warning signs of periodontal disease are: bleeding to floss swelling of the gums, especially between the teeth, loss of the pink pebbly look to a more reddish, slick look in the gums, increased warmth or temperature, and in the later more serious stages, pain and looseness of teeth.
But this extreme can be avoided if the dentist regularly examines your mouth both visually and with x-rays. He can determine whether there have been any changes in the mouth tissues or the bone around your teeth. He will also look for early tooth decay, impaction, tumors in the jaw area and abscesses in tooth roots. To insure healthy gums and teeth, you must combine regular dental examinations with effective brushing and flossing.