One of the maxims in all fields of medicine, and in almost all aspects of life, is that prevention is better than cure. In the case of oral diseases such as periodontitis, in which you can lose your teeth, going to the dentist as soon as you detect the first symptoms can be the difference between saving your teeth or embarking on expensive treatments.
But how do I know if I have periodontitis or gingivitis? Below, we are going to explain some of the signs that can alert you to this gum disease.
What is periodontitis
Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums that is usually caused by improper or poor dental hygiene. When gingivitis is not treated properly, it can lead to “periodontitis”, a inflammation around the tooth that pushes the gums apart and forms spaces or pockets that become infected.
At the beginning there is usually a slight inflammation of the gums with discreet bleeding when brushing the teeth and an early diagnosis will prevent the progression of periodontitis to more advanced and irreversible stages.
Most patients with periodontitis have the following symptoms:
– Their gums bleed spontaneously.
– They suffer from tooth sensitivity due to the exposure of the root of the tooth.
– He doesn’t like his teeth because you can see the root and they are very “long” teeth.
– Bad breath.
– Toothache. They usually report pain, especially when chewing, and the inability to eat certain foods.
In extreme cases, teeth move due to lack of bone support.
In the case of gingivitis, there is no bone damage, on the contrary, periodontitis is characterized by the loss of the bone that supports the teeth.
What are the causes of periodontitis
Periodontitis is caused by multiple factors. There is an overgrowth of bacteria found among leftover food and tartar between the teeth. This bacterial factor is accompanied by other risk factors such as:
– Genetic predisposition.
– Hormonal changes: Pregnancy.
– Systemic diseases: Diabetes mellitus.
– Stress.
– The tobacco.
In our dental clinic in Valencia we always emphasize the importance of detecting the disease in its initial phase (gingivitis) to minimize the effects of this disease with the correct treatment.
