Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is much more common than many patients realize. An estimated 47.2% of adults aged 30 years and older have some form of periodontal disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the risk for gum disease increases with age. In fact, an estimated 70.1% of adults 65 years and older have some form of periodontal disease.
However, you can take steps you can take to protect and preserve your oral health, starting with the following answers to the most common questions about gingivitis and gum disease.
What Causes Gingivitis?
Gingivitis is a mild and common form of gum disease. It is caused by the short-term effects of plaque deposits on the teeth. As this plaque builds up and adheres to the teeth, it starts to cause irritation, swelling, and bleeding along the gums due to excess bacteria.
Is Gum Disease Contagious?
In general, gum disease is not contagious; it is simply an inflammatory response to the bacteria under the gums. However, bacteria could possibly be transmitted through saliva. Therefore, if you’re concerned about gum disease, it’s best not to share toothbrushes or utensils as an extra safety precaution.
What Are the Early Signs of Gingivitis?
The early signs of gingivitis include bleeding gums when brushing or flossing, bright red or purplish gums, and gums that are tender when touched but are otherwise painless.
Other signs of gingivitis may include a shiny appearance of gums, swollen gums, and/or bad breath.
What Are the Signs of a Mouth Infection?
The signs of a mouth infection are similar to the signs of gingivitis but may also include a fever, gum discoloration, heat or cold sensitivity, and swollen lymph nodes. If any or all these symptoms are present, you should make an appointment with your San Jose dentist as soon as possible.
How Long Can You Keep Your Teeth with Periodontal Disease?
With early detection and proper treatment from your San Jose dental specialist, you can keep your teeth for a lifetime. However, ignoring the signs of gum disease can lead to more significant health issues. These can include bone loss in the mouth, infections, receding gums, mouth sores, tooth loss, and other chronic and corresponding oral health issues.
Can You Reverse Gum Disease?
The great news is that gum disease is reversible when it is detected and treated early enough, but you can’t do it alone. A dental specialist will help you plot the course for your treatment and will work with you to mitigate and reverse the early stages of gum disease.
What Should I Do if I’ve Noticed Possible Signs of Gum Disease?
If you start to notice little signs of gingivitis or more advanced gum disease, the best thing you can do is to act early and schedule an appointment with your San Jose dentist.
Seek Expert Dental Care for Early Gingivitis Signs
At Pannu Dental Group, we provide exceptional care and can help ensure that mild gingivitis doesn’t spiderweb into more severe and damaging health issues.
Reach out to us today to schedule your consultation. By being proactive about gingivitis and gum disease now, you can ensure great oral health for a lifetime.
Looking for a dentist in the Bay Area? For your oral health needs, visit our dentist in Sunnyvale, CA, and Dublin, CA.
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Dr. Dalvir S. Pannu has been a practicing dentist since 1995. In 1996 he opened his first dental practice in India, where he gained invaluable experience and acumen. In October of 1997 he was invited by the American Dental Association (ADA) to present the table clinic on Endodontics, at their annual session held in Washington, D.C. At this time he fell in love with the United States and became passionate about practicing dentistry in California. He became particularly enamored of the San Francisco Bay area, and soon took up residence and work here.