Bleeding gums and bad breath may indicate periodontitis

Do not take early symptoms like swollen gums lightly
Periodontal disease is one of the most common dental diseases and is caused in most cases by bacterial plaque. The symptoms usually appear creeping, so that the inflammation is often not noticed by the patient. It is all the more important to pay attention to early warning signs so as not to risk gum reduction or even tooth loss.

Inflammation is usually triggered by deposits
Periodontitis is an inflammation of the dental bed and periodontium, which is usually caused by a bacterial infection due to lack of dental care. In addition to the innate or acquired risk factors play a role in the development, which include, in particular, smoking, fuselike Alzheimer's diet, long-term medication with certain drugs and stress. To prevent it is especially recommended a dental and oral care, in which the careful cleaning of the interdental spaces must not be neglected.

Bleeding gums and bad breath can be the result of periodontitis. (Image: Eric Fahrner / fotolia.com)

This is reported by the East German dental associations in their patient journal "ZahnRat", which deals with the topic in the current issue no. 85 under the heading "periodontitis - an underestimated danger". Accordingly, doctors would now speak of a widespread disease affecting about three-quarters of the adult population.

Take redness and bleeding gums seriously
Periodontitis is usually painless at the beginning and therefore often goes unnoticed for a long time. A fatal situation, because the disease is not treated in time, threaten according to the East German dental associations serious consequences such as gum decline, bad breath, loss of supporting tissue and tooth loosening. Accordingly, the first warning signs such as redness and swelling of the gums or frequent bleeding gums when brushing your teeth should be taken seriously and observed.

Dentist measures depth of periodontal pockets
"If an intensive and correct dental and oral care does not improve within a short time, it is high time to get into dental hands," said the expert advice in the journal. To determine an inflammation, the dentist measures, inter alia, at six points in the mouth the depth of the so-called "periodontal pockets". If the suspicion is confirmed, among other things the covering would be removed for pretreatment and, depending on the case, e.g. a defective filling will be renewed. Subsequently, the cleaning of the recessed gingival pockets, a medical treatment as well as a regular follow-up take place. (No)