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Almost half of American adults over 30 have some stage of periodontal disease according to the CDC. If you have gum disease, you will gum diseasebe able to identify the symptoms before you even visit your dentist for an official diagnosis. Learn the signs of periodontitis that should prompt you to see your Ellijay, GA, dentist immediately.

What is Periodontal Gum Disease?
Periodontal disease is a breakdown of the health of the gums and bone tissue due to the growth of bad bacteria beneath and around the gumline. Poor oral hygiene is usually the cause. These are also factors that may play a role in the development of periodontal disease:

- Heredity (dentists are researching whether it may run in families)
- Lack of flossing for long periods of time (food gets trapped between the teeth, turns into plaque and feeds bad bacteria)
- Smoking or chewing tobacco (the tar makes it more difficult for the gums to heal and fight infection)

What Are the Signs?
When you brush in the morning, you can tell if your gums are healthy or if they may be affected by periodontal disease. Here are a few signs of periodontitis to look for:

- bleeding when you brush or floss
- painful, tender gums
- problems chewing your food
- dark colored or red gums
- teeth that are very sensitive to cold or hot foods
- loosening teeth
- pockets around the teeth
- really bad breath that doesn't fade (distinct from morning breath)

Treatment Options
Gum disease is treated depending on its stage and severity. The goal is to save your teeth from extraction and your gums from further infection. Here are the most common periodontal therapies:

- scaling and root planing
- medication to control bacteria
- periodontal surgery
- periodontal laser treatment
- gum/bone grafting
- dental implants when necessary

Your Gums Matter
The health of your gums matters to the overall health of your teeth. If you think you may have some of the symptoms of periodontal gum disease, call (706) 635-2218 today for an examination with a dentist at East Ellijay Family & Cosmetic Dentistry in Ellijay, GA.


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