Gum disease is usually pretty easy to recognize. Minor cases of gum disease are usually called gingivitis and can typically be reversed by simply taking proper care of the teeth and gums. Here are the most common symptoms of gingivitis:

Swollen Gums

Reddish or purplish gums

Bad breath (halitosis)

Excessive Bleeding while brushing or flossing normally

Receding gums (teeth look longer)

As gum disease progresses it becomes much more serious and more difficult to treat. Here are the most common symptoms of advanced periodontitis:

Loosening of teeth

Teeth falling out (dental avulsion)

Change in bite

Pus in the spaces between the teeth

Sores on the inside of the mouth

Extreme sensitivity to heat and cold

Teeth shifting

Pain when biting and chewing

Often, serious cases of periodontitis require costly surgical treatment and regular periodontal maintenance treatments. Because of this, it is very important to stop periodontal disease before it reaches this stage.

Depending on the stage of gum disease and the health of the patient, there are many different treatment options that may be recommended:

• Deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) – Deep cleaning uses specialized scrapers to remove plaque and tartar from the gumline.
• Pocket reduction surgery – As the gums pull away from the teeth, pockets of infection can form underneath the roots of the teeth. Pocket reduction surgery eliminates these pockets, thereby destroying the bacteria that cause gum disease.
• Antibiotic treatment – Oral antibiotics are usually administered alongside deep cleanings in order to eliminate minor to moderate cases of gum disease.