Recognizing the symptoms of gum disease can help your Kettering OH area dentist provide the best treatment

Gum disease is one of the most common oral health issues among adults. We see it in our office more often than we’d like, and often, patients seek help after the disease has progressed and caused irreversible damage to the mouth. Part of our goal at Alex Bell Dental is to educate all of our patients about this progressive condition and explain what it can do to the teeth and gums. We discuss the proper steps for preventing gum disease, along with the most common symptoms. By recognizing the early signs and symptoms of gum disease, treatment can be less invasive and more effective.

Gum disease can be classified into three main stages: gingivitis, periodontitis, and advanced periodontitis. In addition to the oral health problems, it is important to identify and treat gum disease early to prevent it from leading to other problems. The infection has the ability to travel through the bloodstream, and it can put patients at risk for other serious health conditions. Gum disease has been linked to conditions such as cardiac disease, diabetes, and strokes.

Some of the most common early symptoms of gum disease include:

• Inflamed, red gums
• Chronic bad breath
• Gums that bleed during brushing and flossing

Symptoms of gum disease that has begun to progress includes:

• Pockets between the teeth and the gums
• Teeth that have shifted out of place
• Changes in the bite

If the early symptoms of gum disease are detected and properly treated, oral health can be restored with minimally invasive treatments. Once the gum tissue has pulled away from the teeth, and bacteria is allowed to begin infecting the jawbone, patients become at risk for tooth loss and other ill effects.

At Alex Bell Dental, we believe that oral health leads to overall systemic health. There is a connection between the mouth and the body. Taking care of the mouth is an important part of taking care of the body. If you are in the Kettering, OH area and would like to learn more about identifying early symptoms of gum disease, call us today for an appointment.