What Are The Signs of Periodontal Disease? Info for our Ft. Lauderdale Area Patients.

What are the Signs of Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease (also more commonly referred to as gum disease) is often hard to notice. Unless you have advanced gum disease, your gums hurt or you’ve noticed changes in your gum line, you probably won’t know that you have it. Your dentist or your periodontist will be able to tell you though.

Early periodontal disease is subtle, and called Gingivitis. Previously, the only way to tell if you had Gingivitis or gum disease was by seeing the destruction caused by bacteria – the deep pockets, the loss of bone, feedback from the patient, etc.

But with recent advances in periodontal care, you don’t have to wait until after the damage is done. Your dentist or periodontist will be able to determine your status ahead of time.

How does the Periodontist determine if I have Gum Disease?

Using a special microscope and/or culturing, we can tell if you are harboring the bacteria associated with periodontal disease. For patients who have already been treated for periodontal disease, this evidence can alert us to the possibility that the disease is re-entering an active phase.

Gingivitis is generally characterized by redness and often bleeding. If your dentist has asked you to brush more, floss or get your teeth cleaned more often he is likely asking you to control gingivitis!

More advanced gum disease involves loss of bone support, and if left untreated leads to loss of teeth. Often slight shifting of teeth, occasional soreness of the gums or puffy gums are considered normal, however these are sure signs of advancing gum disease.

What Bacteria Causes My Gum Disease?

There are many normal types of bacteria in our mouths and most of them won’t cause any problems for us. However, researchers have identified specific bacteria that are sound in periodontal disease. When these types of bacteria are present, we know the patient is at increased risk for periodontal disease. When the bacteria appear in large numbers, they may signal an acute phase of the disease.
At the Broward Center for Laser Periodontics and Implants, we provide a number of gum treatments depending on your specific need.

Questions for a Fort Lauderdale or Deerfield Beach Periodontist?

Do you have other questions about what Periodontists do? Please feel free to call our offices – we’d be happy to talk more with you!

Deerfield Beach office: (954) 427-5700