Are your gums healthy? Periodontal (gum) disease can occur gradually and won't necessarily cause alarming symptoms at first. If you don't receive treatment, you may eventually develop a severe infection and risk losing your teeth. Fortunately, your Lawrenceville, NJ, periodontists, Drs. John Lu and Raul Figueroa of Lawrenceville Dental Implant Center and Periodontics, offer effective treatments for periodontal disease.

How can I tell if I have periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease can be subtle initially. They can include:

• Bad Breath: Breath odor is a problem for everyone from time to time. Although bad breath may occur when you first wake up or after eating an onion-laden sandwich, chronic bad breath is never normal. In fact, it can be a sign of gum disease.
• A Bloody Toothbrush: Gum disease irritates your gums and makes them more sensitive. If you notice blood on your toothbrush or it looks pink, you may have gingivitis, the mildest form of gum disease.
• Gum Changes: Periodontal disease can inflame your gums, causing redness and swelling.
• Pain: Inflamed gums tend to be painful. Even pressing on them gently can be uncomfortable. As the disease worsens, chewing can become painful.
• Receding Gums: Gum disease may also cause your gums to recede, exposing the roots of your teeth. When this happens, your teeth become sensitive and may hurt after you eat or drink hot or cold foods and drinks.

If you ignore these signs of gum disease, it may worsen. As the disease becomes more severe, your gums can become more inflamed and painful, and you may even notice pus on them. Eventually, the teeth can pull away from the gums, forming deep pockets full of bacteria. The bacteria can damage bones, ligaments and gum tissue and may be responsible for loosening your teeth.

Prompt treatment of periodontal disease is the key to protecting your oral health. Call your Lawrenceville, NJ, periodontists, Drs. John Lu and Raul Figueroa of Lawrenceville Dental Implant Center and Periodontics, at (609) 896-0700 to schedule an appointment.