The Symptoms of Periodontal Disease

Although it sounds sinister, periodontal disease is really just the scientific name for gum disease. But make no mistake about it, gum disease is sinister and it can lead to tissue loss, teeth falling out, and even infections within the heart itself. Unfortunately, most people do not take their gums' health seriously. This is somewhat odd because people know to brush and floss their teeth every day-in order to prevent tooth loss-but that is precisely what happens in the later stages of periodontal disease. But, if you spot the symptoms of periodontal disease early enough, it is possible to reverse the condition and restore your gums to perfect health.

Early Stages of Periodontal Disease

Before proceeding, it is important to understand that periodontal disease is not a single condition. There are in fact several kinds of periodontal disease, including: gingivitis, aggressive periodontitis, chronic periodontitis, periodontitis as a manifestation of systematic diseases, and even necrotizing periodontitis. With the sole exception of periodontitis as a manifestation of systematic diseases, the first type of periodontal disease to appear is gingivitis.

Gingivitis and all forms of periodontal disease occur because of harmful bacteria living inside your mouth. No matter how much you brush your teeth or floss, those bacteria are continually present within the mouth. It is those very bacteria that help form that slick film you feel on your teeth when you awake each morning. That film is what dentists call plaque. If not removed, plaque hardens and becomes tartar. The presence of this tartar will almost certainly mean that gingivitis is soon to follow. That is because the harmful bacteria reproduce in far greater numbers behind plaque. Those bacteria generate the toxins responsible for gingivitis.

Truthfully, perhaps the biggest reason why so few people take periodontal diseases like gingivitis seriously is because the symptoms of the condition are almost completely painless. Because of the toxins, the gums will become inflamed or swollen. They may, or may not be, sensitive to touch but will almost certainly be redder than usual. When brushing, one may notice some blood coming from the gum line. Again, this will not necessarily be painful but it should serve as a warning sign of bigger troubles yet to come.

Advanced Stages of Periodontal Disease

If the tartar is not removed with a good cleaning from your dentist, the periodontal disease will continue to worsen until it eventually spreads below the gum line. At this point, the condition is known as periodontitis. Now there are indeed different types of periodontitis, but the most common form is chronic periodontitis.

With chronic periodontitis, the bacteria have spread to the tissue surrounding the teeth itself. This will cause swelling or inflammation and the gums will be more sensitive to the touch in this advanced form of periodontal disease. Eventually, the toxins produced by the bacteria will begin to literally dissolve the gum tissue surrounding the tooth. This will lead to the formation of pockets in between the tooth and gums. These pockets are actually better breeding grounds for bacteria than was the tartar. Basically, the disease and its consequences speed up once pockets form.

Tissue loss will continue for the gums once pockets form but the toxins will also begin to dissolve the supporting bone. In time, the resulting tissue and bone loss will cause the teeth themselves to loosen. At this point, if the pockets and bacteria are not eliminated, tooth loss is inevitable. In fact, it may even be too late at this point but periodontists do have procedures that may be able to reattach the gums to the tooth. However, the loss of the teeth is not where the effects of periodontal disease end.

If tooth loss does in fact occur, the truly horrific symptoms of periodontal disease will begin to manifest. Having already dissolved the gums and bone surrounding the teeth, the bacteria and resulting toxins will then spread to the jawbone. Plus, as the colony of bacteria grow, they will ultimately spread to the blood stream. In time, the bacteria may come to settle within the heart itself and cause the onset of infective endocarditis. This will eventually lead to the formation of clots that will break off and flow throughout the body to other organs leading to further health complications.

It may be a little hard to believe that simple gum disease could wind up causing problems within the heart and beyond-but it is very true! Coronary artery disease kills millions and is a prime concern for health professionals and the public. But, people with periodontal disease are actually twice as likely to develop coronary artery disease. In addition, any existing heart conditions are almost always made worse when periodontal diseases enter the picture.

As you can see, there is a long progression from the formation of plaque to the point at which bacteria from the mouth begin migrating to other parts of the body and causing larger health concerns. Treatment options may indeed be available at nearly every point along the way, but some damage simply cannot be repaired. And, unlike the flu or some other similar illness, periodontal diseases will not simply disappear.

Even before any symptoms of gum disease are evident, it is important to adjust your oral hygiene so that the bacteria never have a chance to cause any periodontal disease. In addition to brushing and flossing, it is wise to use a mouthwash that kills bacteria without drying your mouth out. Saliva provides the body with a natural defense against the harmful bacteria in the mouth. Therefore, avoid mouthwashes that use harsh chemicals or alcohol as they will dry out the mouth and leave it vulnerable. Mouthwashes made from all natural ingredients are therefore recommended, along with good oral hygiene, as a means of preventing periodontal disease symptoms from ever appearing.

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