Our Saint Louis Periodontal Dentist Talks About Gum Disease Symptoms

Written by Dr. Grayem on Dec 21, 2021

If you need to treat emerging or established periodontal disease, our Saint Louis dentists are here to help. We have seen first-hand how devastating this type of infection can be. That is why we strongly encourage our patients to stay alert for the signs of dental infection. The earlier you are able to reach out for treatment, the better your dental prognosis will be.

So, what does that mean for you?

Pay attention to the way that your gums look and feel. If you notice any sudden changes to your oral health, that’s reason enough to call your dentist. Additionally, infected oral tissues tend to be:

  • Swollen
  • Red
  • Sensitive
  • Somewhat weak and prone to bleeding

Advanced periodontal disease will cause your gums to start to pull away from your teeth. The spaces between your teeth and gums are called “periodontal pockets,” and they tend to accumulate additional dental debris and bacteria as time goes on. Another unwanted side effect that you may notice is hard-to-treat bad breath. The oral bacteria that infect teeth and gums also produce odors as a byproduct.

The key to effectively treating periodontal disease is to clear away as much bacteria as possible. Then, we’re able to support your body’s natural healing ability as well as undergo restorative treatment to replace damaged tissues.

If you want to learn more about the symptoms of gum disease, or the treatment options available to you, please give our Saint Louis periodontal disease dentists a call.