Periodontal disease: symptoms and gum treatment

When people think about dental health they think about teeth, but what holds them in place are the gums and the bone underneath. Periodontal disease is an infection of those supporting tissues. In its early stages it causes little discomfort, which is why it tends to be ignored, but left untreated it can lead to the loss of teeth that were otherwise healthy.

From gingivitis to periodontitis

It starts with gingivitis: bacterial plaque builds up along the gum line and inflames it. The gum turns red and bleeds easily. At this stage the damage is reversible: with a professional clean and good home care, the gum recovers.

If the inflammation persists, bacteria move below the gum, pockets form between the gum and the tooth, and the bone that holds the tooth starts to be lost. This is periodontitis, also known as pyorrhoea. Lost bone does not grow back on its own, so the sooner the disease is stopped, the more teeth are kept.

Symptoms not to ignore

• Gums that bleed when you brush or floss. Healthy gums do not bleed.
• Red, swollen or tender gums.
• Bad breath that brushing does not get rid of.
• Receding gums: teeth look longer.
• Sensitivity to cold or when eating.
• Teeth that feel loose or have shifted position.

Several of these signs together, or one that does not go away within a couple of weeks, are a reason to have your gums checked.

How it is diagnosed

The periodontist uses a probe to measure the depth of the groove between the gum and each tooth. That measurement, together with bleeding and tooth mobility, shows what stage the disease is at. X-rays complete the diagnosis because they show how much bone has been lost. These findings guide the treatment and give a baseline to compare against at check-ups.

Treatment of periodontal disease

Treatment depends on how advanced the disease is. It usually goes from the simplest to the most complex:

• Professional cleaning. Removes plaque and tartar above the gum line. It is usually enough for gingivitis.
• Scaling and root planing (deep cleaning). Ultrasonic and hand instruments are used to clean the root below the gum and leave it smooth so plaque sticks to it less. It is done under local anaesthetic, one area at a time.
• Local antiseptics. In some cases they are applied to the deepest pockets to support the cleaning.
• Periodontal surgery. When pockets do not shrink with the above, the root is accessed to clean it thoroughly or the gum is reshaped, as in a gingivectomy.
• Regeneration and gum grafts. In selected cases, part of the lost bone can be recovered with biomaterials, or exposed roots can be covered with a gum graft.

All these treatments are explained in more detail on our periodontics and periodontal surgery page.

Maintenance after treatment

Periodontitis is a chronic disease: it can be controlled, but it comes back if neglected. That is why, once treatment is finished, a schedule of check-ups and maintenance cleanings is set, usually every three to six months depending on the case. At home, brushing with the right technique and cleaning between the teeth (floss or interdental brushes) are the foundation. Quitting smoking also helps: tobacco makes the disease worse and also masks bleeding, its main warning sign.

When to book an appointment

If your gums bleed often, you notice them receding or a tooth feels loose, do not wait for pain: periodontal disease progresses painlessly. At Clínicas Rincón Dental we check your gums, tell you what stage they are at and what treatment you need. You can book an appointment at the clinic nearest to you.