Gum health is just as important as the health of your teeth, yet periodontal disease is often neglected until it reaches an advanced stage. Recognizing the warning signs and consulting in time preserves your bone support and, ultimately, your teeth.
Signs to watch for
Periodontal diseases are bacterial infections that attack the supporting tissues of the tooth. The first signs are subtle, often painless, but should raise concern:
- Bleeding gums when brushing or eating;
- Red, swollen or tender gums;
- Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth;
- Teeth that appear longer (gum recession);
- Loose or shifting teeth;
- Spaces opening up between the teeth.
Bleeding gums are never normal. The earlier the diagnosis, the simpler the treatment. When in doubt, a consultation will help you assess your situation.
Gingivitis or periodontitis: what is the difference?
Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums that is generally reversible: redness, swelling and bleeding disappear as soon as the plaque is removed through effective brushing, interdental cleaning and an in-office scaling. Left untreated, it spreads deeper and reaches the supporting bone: this is periodontitis.
Periodontitis results in the formation of pockets between the gum and the tooth, along with a loss of alveolar bone. This destruction is irreversible: treatment stops and stabilizes the disease, but it does not restore the lost bone. This is why it is so important to act while the condition is still at the reversible stage of gingivitis.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis relies on a complete clinical examination: inspection of the gums, pocket probing, assessment of tooth mobility and attachment loss, complemented by X-rays that visualize the bone level.
At Dr. Hikmat's practice in Agadir, a periodontal assessment is offered as soon as bleeding or mobility is reported, completed with a hygiene assessment and personalized advice. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in its 2022 Global oral health status report, severe forms of periodontitis affect about 19% of adults over the age of 15 worldwide, that is more than one billion people.
Risk factors
Several factors promote the onset and worsening of periodontal disease:
- Tobacco, which alters the oral flora and slows down healing;
- Uncontrolled diabetes, whose interaction with periodontitis is reciprocal;
- Poor oral hygiene, with an accumulation of plaque and tartar;
- Stress, which promotes teeth grinding and neglect of oral care;
- Pregnancy and hormonal changes, which make the gums more sensitive.
Identifying these factors makes it possible to personalize prevention: a smoker, a diabetic or a pregnant woman is not followed up in the same way as a patient with no risk factors.
Treatments
Treatment begins with controlling the bacterial infection. Supra- and subgingival scaling removes plaque and tartar. In the case of deep pockets, root planing is performed under local anesthesia to clean the root surfaces. These non-surgical procedures are often enough to stabilize the disease.
In advanced cases, periodontal surgery may be indicated to access difficult areas or to attempt to regenerate the lost bone. Whatever the stage, the patient remains an active participant in the treatment: quitting smoking and rigorous oral hygiene determine the long-term outcome. Every treatment plan established in Agadir includes an educational and preventive component.
Maintenance and prevention
Once the disease is stabilized, follow-up must remain regular. Periodontal maintenance, every 3 to 6 months depending on severity, makes it possible to monitor the pockets, detect any recurrence and remove tartar. According to the French Union for Oral Health (UFSBD), about half of the population over the age of 35 has a periodontal problem, with severe forms in about 10% of cases.
Every day, simple habits make all the difference: brushing twice a day for two minutes, cleaning the interdental spaces, quitting smoking and having a check-up at least once a year. Dr. Hikmat and his team in Agadir support their patients with personalized periodontal follow-up.
Frequently asked questions
Bleeding gums: is it serious?
Not necessarily: occasional bleeding can be caused by brushing too vigorously. But repeated bleeding is the first sign of gingivitis and can progress to periodontitis.
Can periodontitis be treated?
Yes, it can be stabilized. Periodontal treatment (deep scaling, root planing, possibly surgery) combined with rigorous hygiene and regular follow-up can stop the disease, but the bone that has been destroyed does not regenerate on its own.
Is tobacco a risk factor?
Yes, it is one of the main ones. Tobacco worsens periodontitis, slows down healing and can even mask bleeding gums, which delays diagnosis. Quitting smoking significantly improves the response to treatment.
Can periodontitis lead to tooth loss?
Yes, when it is left untreated: the destruction of the bone supporting the teeth can lead to their mobility and then to their loss. Appropriate treatment and follow-up most often make it possible to keep the teeth.