Here’s Why You Should Never Ignore These Early Signs of Gum Disease

When you think about keeping your mouth healthy, your mind probably immediately goes to cleaning your teeth. Your gums are just as important, though. That’s particularly true because gum health problems are rampant in the United States, affecting about half of the population. 

Fortunately, Gemini Master-Patel, DMD, specializes in treating periodontal (gum) disease at Riverside Dental in Yonkers and Thornwood, New York. If your gums bleed easily, look red, or feel tender, it’s a sign you should come see Dr. Master-Patel and our team. 

Here are a few reasons why: 

#1: Gum disease gets progressively worse

Gum disease starts as gingivitis. In this stage, it might cause red and tender gums that bleed easily, but it probably won’t bother you too much.

However, you shouldn’t ignore it, because left unchecked, gingivitis turns into periodontitis. And periodontitis is much harder to treat and much more dangerous to your health. 

#2: Gum disease can lead to tooth loss and other complications

If you let gum disease progress to the point that it turns into periodontitis, it presents a serious risk to your oral and overall health. 

For starters, unchecked periodontitis can lead to tooth loss. Just as importantly, the bacteria behind your gum disease can travel beyond your mouth. It’s linked to major health concerns like:

• Coronary artery disease
• Difficulty managing diabetes
• Respiratory disease 
• Rheumatoid arthritis

This bacteria can also introduce problems during pregnancy. 

#3: Gum disease is easiest to treat early

Fortunately, if you catch gum disease in its early stages (gingivitis), you can usually reverse it relatively easily. 

A professional teeth cleaning from our team removes any tartar (hardened plaque) that could be irritating your gums. Then, consistent at-home oral care — daily brushing and flossing — is usually enough to allow your gums to heal. 

If you wait to address gum disease, reversing it requires a lot more work. As it turns into periodontitis, your gums start to separate from your teeth. The bacteria behind the disease gets into these pockets. At that point, you usually need treatment called scaling and root planing.

During this procedure, Dr. Master-Patel uses specialized instruments to clean the now-exposed root of your tooth, then smooth it. This helps your gums reattach to your teeth. While we numb your gums before treatment, most people report that scaling and root planing isn’t overly uncomfortable. 

In some cases, you might also need antibiotics to address the bacteria behind periodontitis, along with additional treatment like pocket reduction surgery. 

Long story short, left unaddressed, gum disease goes from an easy-to-cure condition to a major headache. If you think you have the early signs of gum disease, don’t wait to call our Riverside Dental office nearest you or book an appointment online today.