Do Bleeding Gums Mean I Have Gum Disease?

Periodontal (gum) disease affects millions of US adults. However, some studies indicate that as much as half of these patients don’t even know they’re suffering from this common oral health condition. For this reason, screening for periodontal disease is a regular part of dental checkups at I-20 Dental. Dr. Stephen Wardlaw and his team will do their utmost to help our patients prevent this potentially damaging oral health issue. We can also provide a variety of periodontal therapies to put the smile back on your face, but the first step is to make an accurate diagnosis.

Warning signs of Mild Gum Disease

In the earliest stages, gum disease may be referred to as gingivitis. The symptoms at this stage are very mild, and in most cases, patients do not even notice them. However, if you do see any of the following warning signs, please contact us right away:

• Gums that bleed during cleaning
• Discolored or inflamed soft tissue
• Itchy or sensitive gums
• Bad breathe that does not improve with cleaning

Symptoms of Advanced Gum Disease

When we’re unable to prevent periodontal disease or begin treatment in the early stages, it can advance to the more severe form known as periodontitis. At this level, patients may notice any number of symptoms including:

• Bleeding gums
• Inflamed or infected gum tissue
• Swelling or discoloration of soft tissue
• Teeth that wiggle or a bite that doesn’t seem to fit together well
• Chronic, severe bad breath (halitosis)
• Tooth loss

Risk Factors for Gum Disease

Regular dental checkups and teeth cleanings in our Arlington dental office paired with thorough at-home hygiene are typically adequate to prevent gum disease. However, there are some risk factors that make preventing gum disease more of a challenge. Patients with diabetes and other oral and overall health conditions that may impeded immune function are at an increased risk for gum disease. Expectant mothers are at such a high risk for periodontal disease that it has its own, pregnancy gingivitis. Those who have dry mouth are also at a significantly increased risk for gum disease due to a lack of acid-neutralizing saliva.

Periodontal Therapy from Your Arlington Dentist

At I-20 Family Dental, we work hard to help patients preventive gum disease, but when this is not possible, we also offer numerous periodontal therapies to restore oral health. Using our state-of-the-art diode laser, we can remove plaque and tartar buildup and smooth tooth roots to prevent future concerns. In severe cases, we may need to partner with local specialists to provide periodontal surgery to renew oral health.