3 Signs You May Have Periodontitis

Periodontitis is an advanced form of gum disease that can cause you many dental woes. Aside from contributing to painful, swollen and tender gums, periodontitis may cause teeth to loosen or fall out. It may make eating more difficult and may cause changes in the clarity of your speech, as well. If you’re struggling with periodontitis, your dentist in Medina, OH, has solutions. There are common signs and symptoms that require priority treatment.

A Bad Taste in Your Mouth That Won’t Go Away

Does your mouth frequently taste bitter, sour, or metallic for no apparent reason? This is often a warning sign of gum disease. When food and bacteria get caught in and between teeth and gums, unpleasant tastes or smells are often the result. Brushing and flossing regularly may help relieve the bad taste in your mouth for short periods of time, but a professional cleaning by your dentist is vital at this juncture.

Upper and Lower Teeth That No Longer Fit Together Properly

Noticing changes in the way your upper and lower teeth meet? This may be another common sign of periodontitis.This happens when chronic infection weakens your jawbone, causing it to shift slightly in one direction or another. As a result, your teeth may no longer come together in front. This makes biting impossible, and it can lead to changes in speech, as well. Ignoring signs of periodontitis may leave you with a speech impediment until you seek treatment. And it may require surgery to correct.

Pain When You Bite or Chew

When gums become swollen and tender, eating may cause pain. Pockets may form in the gums surrounding your teeth and fill with infection. Eventually, they may recede, causing teeth to loosen. And when you put pressure on a loose tooth, pain is often the result.

Help for Periodontitis in Medina, OH

For gum disease treatment in Medina, OH, and the surrounding areas, call on Evanko Dental Group of Medina. A member of our friendly staff is waiting to take your call and to schedule a time that’s convenient for you to come in.

Periodontitis is a serious dental condition, but with the right help, it’s easily treated. Call today to learn more.

How Cigarettes Affect Your Oral Health

Your dentist in Medina does everything possible to ensure your good oral health. However, sometimes bad habits can make it more challenging to maintain that good health. For instance, smoking cigarettes is not only bad for you overall; it actually negatively impacts your oral health. Here’s how.

Smoking Causes Gum Disease

Did you know that cigarette smoking is a leading cause of gum disease? Most people equate gum disease and tooth decay with sugar, but smoking can lead to the same outcome. Gum disease is an infection of the gums and can be caused by the ingredients in cigarettes. In fact, smokers are two times more at risk for gum disease than non-smokers. The more and longer you smoke, the higher that risk becomes. Even worse, continuing to smoke makes it more likely that common treatments for gum disease won’t work for you.

Smoking Causes Yellow Teeth

Have you ever looked at the teeth of someone who has been smoking for a long time? You’ll notice that smokers’ teeth are discolored. That’s due to some of the ingredients in cigarettes, such as tar and nicotine. Those ingredients stain teeth and cause them to look yellow and in poor health. Teeth whitening may remove the discoloration temporarily but it will soon return with more smoking.

Smoking Impedes the Healing Process

Smoking lowers your immune system and impedes the healing process. Anytime you have a mouth sore, tooth extraction, oral surgery, or another treatment that requires a time of healing, it will take much longer due to smoking. And a longer healing time means a higher risk of infection.

Smoking Causes Bad Breath

Everyone appreciates fresh breath. It’s a sign of good oral health. But if you smoke, your breath will never smell fresh. In fact, smoking causes bad breath, which will likely keep other people from wanting to be too near to you.

Smoking Increases Risk of Oral Cancer

Oral cancer is a terrible disease that can lead to all kinds of negative outcomes. When you smoke, you expose the tender tissues inside your mouth to deadly carcinogens that can lead to oral cancer.

If you currently smoke, talk to your Medina dentist about ways to quit the habit. The sooner you stop, the sooner you can start enjoying optimal oral health.