When you are able to identify and treat periodontal disease before it becomes advanced, you improve your long-term dental prognosis as well your day-to-day life. Gum infections that are left untreated can quickly spiral out of control, and lead to irrevocable dental damage.
Today, our Glendale periodontal dentists are going to be talking about some of the signs of gum disease. It is our hope that this information empowers you to take control of your oral health, so let’s get started!
Gum disease develops when harmful oral bacteria are able to infiltrate your oral tissues. As the infection progresses in scope and severity, gum disease becomes periodontal disease.
Infected oral tissues tend to become inflamed as the supportive structures of your smile start to decay. For this reason, you may notice that your gums are:
- Swollen, tender, or red
- Easily irritated
- Prone to bleeding, especially when you clean your smile
- Starting to pull away from your teeth (these are called periodontal pockets)
- Producing an unpleasant odor or taste in your mouth
The first step to treating gum disease is to minimize the number of bacteria in your mouth. Once there are fewer bacteria to contend with, our team can help you take steps to restore your smile, and promote your body’s natural healing process.
Gum disease is a progressive problem. So, if it is left untreated, the infection and resultant symptoms will only intensify. That is why it is critical that you reach out to your dental team at the first sign of infection. As always, our Glendale gum disease dentists are here to help you and answer any question that you may have!