Symptoms of Gum Disease

Everyone has bacteria in their gums. Small amounts of bacteria are beneficial to our health. However, when bacteria multiply in your mouth, they can grow uncontrollably and lead to severe problems. At our Wilmington Delaware dentist office, we recognize that specific symptoms can indicate advanced gingivitis, such as the following.

  • Swollen or “gummy” gums that protrude further than usual
  • Red, purple, or dark gums
  • Bloody gums or gums that bleed at the slightest provocation
  • Receding gums, possibly showing roots of your teeth
  • Loose teeth or loss of teeth
  • Painful gums or teeth
  • Long-term bad breath
  • Painful chewing
  • Noticeable differences in your bite or spaces between teeth

If you experience these symptoms, you should see a periodontist for treatment. Without treatment, your symptoms will only develop and get worse. To see a periodontal dentist, call our office at (302) 994-0979 to schedule your appointment with our family dentist.

Lasting Effects of Gum Disease

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Unfortunately, gum disease does not affect only your mouth. Bacteria from gingivitis can spread throughout your body and cause severe infections in other organs.

Recent studies show that the bacteria can travel through the veins in your gums to your heart, causing cardiovascular disease. Due to gum disease, you could be at a higher risk for heart attack, stroke, diabetes, or high blood pressure. In addition to heart disease, there is a connection between gum disease and pancreatic cancer, osteoporosis, and low birth weight in babies.

Because of these lasting effects, our dentists take periodontics very seriously. When you visit us for routine dental visits, we always thoroughly check your teeth and gums..

Treating Advanced Gingivitis

If we find gum disease during your dental exam, we will begin treatment with a deep cleaning. To truly rid your smile of bacteria, we utilize ultrasonic scalers. These cleaning devices remove bacteria and other remnants without damage to your teeth and gums.

In other cases, your smile needs more treatment than a deep cleaning. If this is the case, we will use an antibiotic treatment called Arestin. When we use Arestin, we apply the antibiotic locally, inside the pockets of your teeth. Unlike antibiotic pills, the medication can directly affect the problem’s source. With this treatment, we can diffuse your gum disease in one visit rather than sending you home with at-home antibiotic trays.

Periodontal disease, is an infection of the gums that can lead to tooth loss if untreated.

Gum disease is diagnosed through a dental examination, which includes checking for gum bleeding, swelling, and firmness and measuring pocket depths around teeth.

Risk factors include poor oral hygiene, smoking, diabetes, hormonal changes, certain medications, genetic predisposition, and other systemic diseases.

Yes, this can be prevented or managed by maintaining good oral hygiene, regular dental check-ups, and a balanced diet.

It’s recommended to visit the family dentist for a check-up and cleaning at least twice a year or as advised by your dentist based on your oral health condition.

Periodontics in Wilmington, Delaware

If you have red or swollen gums, you need to be checked for a gum infection. We encourage you to make an appointment as soon as possible with your periodontics dentist before you experience more severe symptoms.

Our dental team, believes in a personalized approach to treating your gum-related issues. Every patient has a unique dental health situations, and we tailor our treatments to meet individual needs and health goals. To schedule an appointment with our team, call (302) 994-0979.

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