Sign and Symptoms of Periodontal Disease in Miami Beach, FL

Periodontitis disease is severe form of gum disease that most frequently occurs due to poor dental and oral hygiene resulting in significant build-ups of plaque on the teeth. If plaque continues to be built up on the teeth and under the gums but is never sufficiently cleared off through brushing and flossing, the plaque and tartar will begin to harden under the gum line, making it much more difficult to remove without professional interventions. Since the plaque and tartar and packed with bacteria, leaving it on the surface of the teeth and gums will begin to damage the enamel and gums. Continuing to avoid a professional dental cleaning will lead to increased irritation and inflammation of the gums, which causes deep pockets filled with plaque and tartar to develop between the gums and teeth that will eventually become infected and lead to a loss of bone and tissue in the affected area. The point at which the deep pockets develop is when the gum disease develops into being periodontitis.

There are several factors that can increase an individual’s risk of developing periodontitis, including maintaining poor health, smoking or chewing tobacco, engaging in recreational drug use, as well as genetics and certain underlying health conditions.

Gingivitis is a much milder type of gum disease that without proper treatment or professional cleaning will eventually develop into periodontitis as it worsens.

Some signs or symptoms that will indicate that you are suffering from periodontitis include:

– Gum sensitivity or tenderness when touched
– Gums that are visibly swollen, bright or dark red in color, and bleed easily
– Presence of blood from the gums whenever brushing or flossing the teeth
– Persistent bad breath
– Pus that develops in between the teeth and gums
– Experiencing pain or sensitivity when chewing
– Teeth that are loose or falling out
– Receding Gumlines
– Changes in bite, the way that your teeth fit together when biting

If you previously suffered from gingivitis but have not been able to receive professional interventions to properly deep clean the teeth, and the symptoms have only worsened, you should visit a dental professional as soon as possible to treat the gum disease and to prevent losing any teeth if possible.

The damage that periodontitis does to your teeth and gums is irreversible, but with proper interventions and maintenance, it can be managed to prevent further damage from occurring. Some of the strength and structure can be restored to the bone and tissue that has been affected through proper periodontal treatment, but you will likely not be able to fully restore the teeth and gums. To prevent the disease from incurring further damage to the gums and teeth, a dental professional will have to perform a deep cleaning to remove as much plaque and tartar as possible, removing all of the packed in bacteria. This cleaning will likely include scaling, root planing, and a course of antibiotics as a less invasive treatment option for the less severe cases. More severe cases may require a surgical procedure in order to remove all of the damaged tissue and restore the lost tissue and bone in order to ensure that the remaining teeth and gums are sufficiently protected moving forward.

The precise method of treatment that is used for cases of periodontitis depends on the severity of the disease. While the less severe cases will likely only require an intensive professional dental cleaning consisting of root planing and scaling, and will likely have to take some antibiotics to help fight off infection, there are also many severe cases that require surgical procedures to fully remove the bacteria and damaged tissue or teeth and then ensure that the rest of the mouth is properly protected. Some common surgical procedures that are used in these severe cases include pocket reduction surgery, soft tissue grafts, bone grafts, tissue-stimulating proteins through the application of a special gel, or guided tissue regeneration. It is much easier to prevent periodontitis than to treat it and restore the teeth and gums back to their original strength and structure.

Maintain the health of your teeth and gums. Trust our experience to put yourself at ease. Real Smile Dentistry specializes in gentle gum care. For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment online. We are located at 757 Arthur Godfrey Rd, Miami Beach, FL 33140. We serve patients from Miami Beach FL, North Miami FL, Surfside FL, Dodge Island FL, North Bay Village FL, Wynwood FL, Biscayne Park FL, and surrounding areas.