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1209 Dundee Avenue Elgin, IL 60120
How to Identify Periodontal Disease
Most people may be totally unaware of having periodontal disease. Before major periodontal disease symptoms and pain occurs, this oral health issue may have already set in.
Those who do not get regular dental check-ups could be well on their way to losing their teeth simply because they neglect to go to the dentist and have their teeth checked.
Before simple gum problems become severe, it is important that regular dental check-ups with a dentist are made to identify periodontal disease.
Signs that you have periodontal disease:
- Bad breath that won’t go away. This is the first clue to periodontal disease – bad breath that is constant and just simply won’t go away. Some factors that contribute to bad breath may have nothing to do with periodontal disease such as your diet – if you are fond of coffee, sugar, spicy foods – and medication for colds and high blood pressure to name a few. However, since about 80% of the population has periodontal disease, it is most likely that bad breath is caused by this disease in the mouth.
- Red or swollen gums. Those plump red gums that may look healthy to the uneducated eye are really symptoms of periodontal disease. Pay particular attention to the areas around the tooth. Red or purple coloring around the tooth indicate the disease. Healthy gums are pink and not smooth and puffy like a water balloon.
- Tender or bleeding gums. Gums that are tender to the touch and that bleed with the slightest aggravation are sure signs of periodontal disease. Your gums should not bleed when brushing or flossing. Bleeding gums are an indication that the tissue is dying and infection is setting in.
- Painful chewing. If you have sharp pain located in just one tooth, it could be tooth decay, a cracked tooth, one in need of a root canal or a new filling that is too high. Some who have TMJ (Temporomandibular joint dysfunction) experience jaw pain, which is different than teeth hurting from chewing. Overall pain experienced while chewing is often the result of periodontal disease.
- Loose teeth. Periodontal disease causes your teeth to be somewhat loose due to plaque deposits along and under the gum line of your tooth. The tooth loses its support into the jaw and pockets form around the tooth further collecting bacteria, worsening the problem.
- Sensitive teeth. Sensitivity to hot, cold, sweet, sour and cold air is a symptom of periodontal disease. Gums that are receding due to the disease expose the root surfaces that lead to the nerves in the tooth. When the external stimulus (hot, cold, etc.) is introduced to the exposed portion of the tooth, pain is felt in the nerves.
Office Hours
| Monday | 10:00 to 6:00 |
| Tuesday | 10:00 to 6:00 |
| Wednesday | 11:00 to 8:00 |
| Thursday | 10:00 to 6:00 |
| Friday | 10:00 to 6:00 |
| Saturday | 8:00 to 3:00 |
| Sunday | Appointment only |
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