Itchy gums are a common dental issue, but they’re also annoying and uncomfortable. Itchy gums are caused by a buildup of plaque on your teeth and gums. If this issue is left untreated, it can lead to gingivitis and gum disease.
Learn more about the link between itchy gums and gum disease from Priti Naik, DDS in this blog post. We’ll discuss itchy gums, the signs of gum disease, common treatments for periodontal disease, and much more.
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is any infection and inflammation of the gums. It can be caused by a wide variety of bacteria, which build up in the mouth in the form of plaque.
Plaque is a clear, sticky substance, composed of bacteria. When you do not brush and floss your teeth regularly, it will continue to grow on your teeth and gums, eventually hardening into calcified tartar.
This is what causes gum disease. As this bacteria grows, your gums react to it by becoming inflamed, red, and itchy. Minor cases of gum disease have few symptoms, but as time goes on, gum disease can result in loose teeth, destruction of the gums, and other serious symptoms.
Gum disease has many other symptoms that are usually quite easy to spot. If you have itchy gums, and think you may have gum disease, look for the following symptoms:
Serious cases of gum disease may also lead to issues like loose teeth, or pus oozing from between your gums and teeth.
If you only have a mild case of gum disease, usually known as gingivitis, all you need is a deep cleaning and to maintain a healthy oral care regimen. Deep cleaning uses special tools to scrape plaque and tartar away from the teeth and gums. Antibiotics may also be prescribed to help kill bacteria in the mouth.
More serious cases of periodontitis often require regular cleanings, as well as more invasive surgeries, such as gum flap surgery, pocket reduction, gum reshaping, and more.
Life-threatening infections may occur in severe cases of periodontitis. At this stage, the teeth may need to be removed altogether, and replaced with dentures.
If you have itchy gums, you could have gingivitis; the first stage of gum disease. With proper treatment from Dr. Priti Naik, you can ensure that your disease does not progress, and you can eliminate pain, inflammation, and itchiness caused by periodontal disease.
Early treatment is key for halting the progression of gum disease. So, don’t wait. If you recognize the signs and symptoms of gum disease, contact us now at (703) 288-1800, or drop by the office of Priti Naik, DDS in person at 8230 Boone Blvd, #320, Vienna, VA 22182.