If you find that your gums begin to bleed every time you brush your teeth, or people keep telling you that you have bad breath, you may have an issue with your gums. This common ailment is known as lansdowne gum disease.

What Is Gum Disease?

Gum disease (also known as periodontal disease) is an inflammation of the gums due to tartar, plaque and debris becoming trapped below the gum line—causing infection. As this infection becomes worse, the teeth and gums become more at risk.

There are multiple stages of gum disease—each worse than the next.

Gingivitis

The least severe stage of gum disease is gingivitis. At this stage, the disease should be treatable with a deep cleaning. From there, at-home care can complete the healing process.

Periodontitis

The next stage of periodontal disease is periodontitis. This stage is where the disease becomes more serious, and the level of care needed is much higher. Periodontitis is the stage in which irreparable damage may begin to occur.

Advanced Periodontitis

Once periodontal disease gets to this point, it will be difficult to repair the damage to the gums, teeth and bone tissue that has occurred. It is likely that the teeth have become loose and may have begun falling out. The gum line will also have receded severely. Sometimes the teeth and bone tissue are so badly affected that removal of the teeth is the only option.

What Are the Gum Disease Symptoms?

In order to avoid periodontitis, it is important to keep a lookout for various gum disease symptoms. Some of the most common symptoms of gum disease include:

• Red and Swollen Gums
• Bad Breath
• Bleeding Gums
• Loose Teeth
• Pus
• Receding Gum Lines

It’s best to stop the disease when the symptoms are still less severe, to avoid gingivitis turning into periodontitis.

What Should I Do If I Notice Gum Disease Symptoms?

If you notice the signs of gum disease, it’s important to schedule an appointment with your dentist. Don’t wait until your next checkup and cleaning. The earlier you are able to catch the gum disease, the better.

If you have allowed the gingivitis to advance, there’s a likelihood that it’s developed into periodontitis. If this is the case, it’s especially important to see your dentist as soon as you can.

How Do I Prevent Gum Disease?

While gum disease is a common issue, it can still be prevented with proper oral care. You’ll want to make sure that you are brushing, flossing and rinsing your mouth consistently—at least twice a day. You’ll also want to make sure to visit your dentist every six months for a checkup and cleaning. It is during this checkup that your dentist may notice your gingivitis early on. They will then be able to begin treatment—which will stop your gingivitis from developing into periodontitis.

If you don’t have an appointment schedule for your next cleaning and checkup, make sure to contact your dentist and get an appointment in the books.

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