If you’re experiencing swollen or bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, or tooth sensitivity, you may be showing early signs of periodontal (gum) disease.
Don’t put off seeing a professional dentist to diagnose gum disease and get started on a treatment plan as it’s critical for your long-term oral health.
At Smiles for Miles Dentistry, Dr. Salm offers advanced periodontal treatments to protect your teeth, restore gum health, and prevent long-term complications.
Untreated periodontal gum disease risks tooth loss, infection, bone loss, and even heart and respiratory disease.
Fortunately, Dr. Salm at Smiles for Miles Family Dentistry provides periodontal treatments. These treatments protect your teeth, restore gum health, and prevent long-term complications.
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What is Periodontal Disease?
The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research describes periodontal gum disease as “an infection of the tissues that hold the teeth in place.”
This progressive infection of the gums results from the buildup of dental plaque.
Dental plaque forms as a sticky film on the teeth created when bacteria in your mouth feed on starch and sugar. Think candy, cookies, soda, pastries and even pasta.
If all this sounds a bit like a horror movie, your dentist agrees. Dr. Salm and his Smiles for Miles team advise brushing and flossing daily.
Failure to do so results in the hardening of plague into a substance called tarter.
Removal of this material requires a professional cleaning performed by a dentist or dental hygienist.
Left unchecked, tarter collects on your gumline. Then it starts to infect the surrounding tissue.
Periodontal disease progresses in two stages
- Gingivitis: The earliest stage of periodontal disease involves bacteria on the gum surface. It remains a common and mild version of the disease. Proper cleaning allows this early stage of gum disease to be reversed.
- Periodontitis: Periodontitis represents a more advanced progression of the disease. Infection forms along the gumline. Results include deeper infection, bone loss, and loose teeth.
Bleeding Gums Among Warning Signs of Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease affects various areas of the mouth. Schedule an evaluation with the dentist if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Painful Gums: Red flags include puffy, swollen, or tender gums. Watch out for tenderness or pain while eating or brushing.
- Bleeding Gums: This bleeding is mainly caused by a buildup of plaque at the gum line and can lead to gingivitis if left untreated. You should not see any bleeding when you brush or floss.
- Chronic Halitosis: Bad breath that lingers, even after brushing your tongue or teeth, does more than keep people at arms length. It suggests tartar and possible underlying infection.
- Receding Gums: You’ve probably heard the saying “getting long in the tooth.” That phrase comes from gum disease, where the gums pull away from the teeth and expose the roots. As a result, teeth appear longer than they really are.
- Exposed Roots: Exposed roots lead to more complications. These include tooth sensitivity, greater vulnerability to tooth decay, and other oral health problems.
- Periodontal Pockets: Look out for deep pockets formed as gum tissue pulls away from the teeth. These pockets tend to collect food, bacteria and dental plaque.
- Change in Bite: As gum disease progresses, it can change in the way your teeth fit together. That weakening of support can cause teeth to loosen. If you have a severe level of periodontal disease, you may even experience tooth loss.
We’ve listed some of the more common symptoms, but you may experience different ones. What’s important is to schedule regular dental exams to prevent long-term damage.
Call Smiles for Miles Family Dentistry today!
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Risk Factors of Periodontitis
Several factors can increase your likelihood of developing periodontal disease. The good news is that many of the following risk factors can be managed or reduced with help from your dentist and healthcare provider:
Poor Oral Hygiene
Poor brushing and flossing habits allow the bacteria that causes plaque to thrive and damage gum tissue and bone.
Good oral hygiene, as a daily routine, helps prevent periodontal disease. And these habits support healing if you have gingivitis or periodontitis already.
Smoking and Chewing Tobacco Use
Smoking and chewing tobacco use impair the immune system, decrease saliva, and reduce oxygen supply to the tissue.
Together, these conditions create an environment where bacteria flourish, increasing your risk of developing gingivitis and periodontitis.
Crowded or Crooked Teeth
Misaligned teeth, or malocclusions, can trap plaque and make it hard to clean them properly. There are things you can do, however, depending on your case and preferences.
Dental braces, which realign the teeth and jaw, are one way to straighten crowded or crooked teeth.
Another way to straighten malocclusions is through clear aligners like Invisalign. They’re a discreet way to guide your teeth into alignment.
Poor Nutrition
Dental health and nutrition are closely linked, and vitamin deficiencies can make gums more vulnerable to disease. For instance, a lack of Vitamin C can lead to scurvy, a severe form of malnutrition that negatively impacts skin, bone, and teeth.
Vitamin K, on the other hand, can weaken the soft tissue in your mouth and slow healing. A balanced, nutritious diet is essential for maintaining healthy teeth and gums, and working with a dietitian alongside your dentist can help pave the way to better nutrition and overall better health.
Hormonal Changes
Women experiencing puberty, pregnancy, and menopause have elevated the risk of gum disease because of hormonal changes. These fluctuations can cause symptoms like bleeding, sensitivity, puffy gums, and dry mouth.
Diabetes
Be sure to let your dentist know about any health conditions that may affect your gums. Informing them about diabetes is especially important because it weakens the body’s immune system and causes slower healing.
Diabetics are also more prone to dry mouth, which increases bacterial growth and increases the chances of gum disease. Managing diabetes carefully by controlling your blood sugar and scheduling regular dental cleanings are key steps to protecting gum health.
The Importance of Early Diagnosis to Good Oral Health
The earlier gum disease is caught, the easier it is to treat—and the better your long-term outcome. Good oral hygiene starts with routine visits to allow Dr. Salm to assess the health of your gums.
As part of his diagnosis, he’ll check your teeth and gums for signs of gingivitis or periodontitis. Expect him to also evaluate whether there is to check for early signs of gum recession, any pockets, and bleeding.
Smiles for Miles Family Dental works closely with trusted periodontal specialists in New Berlin and nearby communities to ensure you get the best care possible.
What Can Happen if Gum Disease is Left Untreated
You face much more than a hefty dental bill if you leave gum disease untreated. Other health issues loom on the horizon too.
As mentioned earlier, a connection between gum disease and heart disease exists. Cleveland Clinic reports this link involves inflammation brought on by infection.
A similar tie exists between respiratory disease and gum disease due to inhalation of bacteria from the mouth.
But gum disease also invites stomach issues when tooth loss results in failure to chew and digest properly.
Bone loss from gum disease also creates the danger that dental implants and other restorative treatments will be ineffective.
Don’t wait. Call Dr. Salm at Smiles for Miles Family Dentistry today.
What You Can Do to Avoid Gum Disease
You don’t need advanced training to achieve a healthy mouth—just consistent brushing and regular dental visits. Do the following to keep your teeth and gums clean.
Make Brushing and Flossing Daily a Habit
Prevent plaque buildup and keep your gums clean with good oral hygiene at home. Start with these tips:
- Use Fluoride Toothpaste: Clean your teeth with fluoride toothpaste. Ask Dr. Salm’s hygienist to show you a good brushing method to remove plaque.
- Use a Soft-Bristle Brush: Brush your teeth AND gums with a soft-bristle toothbrush to get them really clean.
- Brush Twice a Day: The American Dental Association recommends you brush your teeth twice a day. Then clean trapped food particles from between your teeth with interdental tools like dental floss or a pick.
See Your Dentist Regularly
Visit your dentist regularly to prevent gum disease and catch problems early. Get professional cleanings every 6 to 12 months to remove tartar buildup that brushing and flossing can’t reach.
During these visits, discuss symptoms like bleeding gums with your dental hygienist and Dr. Salm. Let them review your personal risk factors.
Then follow their recommendations to protect your oral health.
How is Gum Disease Treated?
Dr. Salm customizes periodontal treatment based on the stage of gum disease:
Early Stage (Gingivitis)
Remember, gingivitis may be reversed with improved oral hygiene and professional cleanings.
Treatment Plans for Periodontitis
Moderate to Advanced Stages
We may recommend scaling and root planing, a deep cleaning procedure that:
- Removes plaque and bacteria below the gumline
- Smooths tooth root surfaces to prevent future buildup
- Reduces inflammation and allows gums to heal
In some cases, Dr. Salm also applies Arestin®. This treatment involves a localized antibiotic placed directly into the gum pockets to fight infection and support healing.
Gum Graft for Tissue Loss
If you’ve lost gum tissue due to periodontal disease, Dr. Salm may recommend gum graft surgery. This treatment covers exposed roots, guards against further recession, and helps restore a healthier gumline.
Compassionate Dental Care for Gingivitis and Periodontitis
Many people delay treatment for gingivitis or periodontitis because of fear, sensitivity, or concerns about discomfort.
At Smiles for Miles Dentistry, Dr. Salm and your dental hygienist focus on making every visit to us as comfortable as possible.
With gentle techniques, the latest technology, and compassionate care, our team helps you restore healthy gums and protect your smile without any stress.
Frequently Asked Questions About Periodontitis
Gingivitis is the first stage of periodontitis.
No, periodontal disease requires ongoing management after initial treatment.
That said, treatment by a dentist or dental hygienist in the office combined with good oral hygiene practices at home (brushing and flossing) make a huge difference.
Treatment depends on the severity of the disease. But it may include deep cleaning, surgery, medication or a combination of some or all of these.
Intervention by a qualified dental professional can reverse all or most of the symptoms and lead to better oral health.
Patients may see a variety of symptoms associated with periodontal disease.
But the most common symptoms include:
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- swollen or bleeding gums,
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- chronic bad breath,
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- tooth or gum sensitivity,
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- discomfort while chewing.
Other symptoms may appear too. These run the gamut from dark red or dark purple gums to loss of teeth or appearance of pus between teeth or gums.
Though these symptoms offer warning signs, consult a qualified dental professional for a final diagnosis and treatment plan.
Techniques for getting rid of gum disease depend upon the severity of the condition.
For example, you can reverse gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease, with regular professional cleanings by a dentist or dental hygienist — combined with better overall oral hygiene.
Once gum disease progresses to periodontitis, however, the condition requires a more radical approach.
Dentists often choose a deep cleaning below the gum line. This treatment controls the disease even if reversal proves impossible at this point.
Though more traditional professional cleanings will also be needed on a regular basis.
Another step might involve placing antibiotics directly into the gums.
You dentist might suggest gum grafts to protect exposed roots or implants to replace lost teeth.
Never believe it is too late to seek treatment for periodontitis. For example, your dentist can reverse some stages of gum disease if detected early.
Once gum disease has progressed past a certain point, your dentist may find it impossible to reverse the condition.
However, the right treatments may still help control it.
Your dentist can even replace lost gum tissue and teeth if necessary. Though obviously, early intervention represents the best opportunity for recovery.
A diagnosis of periodontal disease generally means focusing on managing rather than reversing the condition. Treatment focuses on deep cleaning of the gums first.
Your dentist may move on to antibiotics, gum grafts and implants to reverse some of the damage.
Compassionate Dental Care for Gingivitis and Periodontitis
Never delay treatment for gingivitis or periodontitis because of fear, sensitivity, or concerns about discomfort.
At Smiles for Miles Dentistry, Dr. Salm and your dental hygienist focus on making every visit to us as comfortable as possible.
With gentle techniques, the latest technology, and compassionate care, our team helps you restore healthy gums and protect your winning smile stress free.
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Protect Your Smile — Starting at the Gums
Don’t ignore signs of gum disease like loose or sensitive teeth. Dr. Salm and the team at Smiles for Miles Family Dentistry are here to help you prevent, diagnose, and treat periodontal problems before they progress.
📞 Call us today if you want more gum disease information or request an appointment online.
Your gums will thank you!