Also called gum disease and periodontitis, periodontal disease Campbell is the leading cause of tooth loss in the world among adults. This progressive condition results from irritation or inflammation of the gum tissue (gingiva) caused by the toxins found in plaque. The bacterial infection caused by plaque is called gingivitis and, if left untreated, can destroy the gums and underlying bone. Even worse, it can lead to tooth loss or loose teeth. Periodontal disease can progress without symptoms, making regular checkups with your dentist crucial. Still, when it does cause signs, here are seven you can expect.

1. Bad Breath

Bad breath or halitosis is a common sign of gum disease, especially when it refuses to go away with home remedies like brushing and flossing. It is usually caused by the bacteria and debris building up in your gum pockets from old food particles.2

2. Pain, Swelling, or Redness

Gums that swell, redden, or are painful to the touch for no apparent reason are signs of periodontal disease. The infection can travel to your bloodstream and other parts of your body if not caught early, so you should always discuss painful gums with your dentist.

3. Gum Recession

People with periodontal disease often look like they have longer teeth due to gum recession. The bacteria eat at your gums and jawbones, making your gums recede and your smile look toothy.

4. Unexplained Bleeding

You may have a periodontal infection if you bleed unexpectedly when you eat food, floss, or brush your teeth. Plaque contains toxins which can make your gum tissue more sensitive and prone to bleeding.

5. Loose or Shifting Teeth

Loose or shifting teeth that cause a change in how your teeth fit together when you bite are a symptom of rapidly progressing gum disease. Advanced periodontitis damages the bone tissue supporting your gums and can lead to your teeth becoming loose or shifting along your jawline.

6. Pus

One of the telltale signs of gum disease is puss oozing from your gums and between your teeth. Your body produces pus when trying to ward off a bacterial infection, which can be very disturbing coming from your mouth.

7. Other Symptoms

Other symptoms of gum disease may include:

• Changes in the fit of your dentures.
• Changes in your bite
• A bad taste in your mouth that does not go away
• Sensitive teeth
• Painful chewing
• Bleeding or tender gums

How Is Periodontal Disease Treated?

Periodontal disease is best addressed and treated by a board-certified periodontist. They will usually tailor your treatment to your symptoms, their severity, and your medical history. If your symptoms are not advanced, you may benefit from nonsurgical procedures like root planning and deep cleaning. More severe cases may require interventions like:

• Guided tissue regeneration or bone grafting
• Pinhole surgical technique (PST)
• Laser-assisted new attachment procedure (LANAP)

According to statistics, 80 percent of American adults will have periodontal disease by age 45, and most of them won’t even know. When periodontal disease goes untreated, it can wreak havoc on your oral health and even affect other parts of your body. The periodontists at Ueno Center Dental Specialists are dedicated to helping you maintain healthy gums. Contact their California office today to discuss your gum disease symptoms. You can even book an appointment online.

The interaction between the different upper extremities depends on the health of their bones, ligaments, cartilage, tendons, and connective tissues. Sometimes, you may experience an issue that affects your fingers, which can negatively affect the functioning of the other parts of your upper extremities. The trigger finger is one common hand condition that Dr. Kristopher Downing La Jolla treats. Medically called Stenosing Tenosynovitis, a finger remains in a bending position, like pulling and releasing a trigger when you have the condition. One or more fingers or hands may be affected at once.

When the condition affects your thumb, people tend to refer to it as a trigger thumb. Consequently, below are a few other things to know about the trigger finger or thumb.

Common symptoms of trigger fingers

You can notice you have trigger fingers when you observe symptoms such as your fingers painfully snapping as you make them straight or bend. The painful click or snap can aggravate when your finger has not been moving for a long time. Moving your finger makes it feel better eventually.

Another common symptom of a trigger finger is inflexibility, which is most common when you wake up in the morning.

Other symptoms may include finger or thumb tenderness and locking, making it harder to straighten them.

Trigger finger causes

Trigger finger results from long-lasting activities or behaviors involving frequent movement and forceful application of your fingers and thumbs. Activities involving routine handling of heavy things and regular use of gadgets and tools like computers requiring constant finger motions may cause the finger condition.

You are more at risk when your job involves farming, working in the industries, and playing and holding musical instruments due to their demand for monotonous, straining finger and hand motions.

Advanced age, arthritic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, and other health conditions like high blood glucose all put you at risk of a trigger finger.

Management and treatment of trigger finger

If you have an acute trigger finger, you should avoid strenuous activities that cause it. You may also find a splint helpful in holding the fingers affected to safeguard the joint against the locking movement.

Another home remedy involves soaking your affected fingers in warm water for about 15 minutes after you wake up in the morning. Gently try to exercise the fingers inside the warm water to alleviate the strain on the muscles and tendons.

Moreover, your health provider may prescribe medications or injections to tackle the inflammation you are experiencing.

Nonsurgical treatment options rarely eliminate chronic or long-lasting trigger fingers. In that case, you will have to visit the office of an upper extremity specialist for surgical treatment.

Surgery will involve lacerating the tissue layer (sheath) of the tendons in your fingers. The sheath allows easy passage and sliding of tendons. Cutting the tissue layer avails more space near the tendons of a trigger finger or thumb.

Thus, the tendons in your fingers can effortlessly glide through the sheath, and you can bend or straighten your fingers and not feel discomfort or inflexibility.

Contact today for specialist diagnosis and surgical and nonsurgical treatments of health conditions affecting your upper extremities, including your hands and fingers.