Early periodontal disease may include swollen, puffy, or tender gums that bleed easily and appear bright or dark red, or dark purple. As the gum infection progresses, you may also experience persistent bad breath, pus between teeth and gums, loose or lost teeth, painful chewing, new spaces resembling black triangles between teeth, receding gums, and changes to your bite alignment.

Causes of Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease is caused by bacteria infecting the tooth's surrounding tissue, resulting in inflammation. The bacteria form plaque, a film on teeth that hardens into tartar or calculus. Tartar buildup can extend beneath the gum line, making proper cleaning at home difficult. Professional dental intervention is necessary to eliminate tartar and halt the progression of periodontal disease. Several factors heighten the risk. These include things you can control, like smoking and inadequate oral hygiene, and things you can’t, like diabetes, stress, heredity, crooked teeth, immunodeficiencies (e.g., AIDS), faulty fillings, medications causing dry mouth, ill-fitting bridges, and hormonal changes in females due to pregnancy or oral contraceptive use.

Gum Disease Complications

The progression of gum disease is typically gradual, and many patients do not experience pain, particularly in early-stage gum disease. However, if left untreated, symptoms of gum disease worsen, leading to periodontitis. This later stage gum disease can lead to periodontal abscess, the deterioration of the underlying jawbone, supporting gum tissue and bone, increasing the risk of tooth loss. Although periodontal disease itself is not life-threatening, the gum infection you have can contribute to the development of other health conditions that are. The risk for these fatal conditions increases if the infection spreads beyond the oral cavity. Fortunately, gum disease can be effectively managed through appropriate treatment. Early detection and intervention are crucial for improved oral health management in cases of gum disease.