One oral health problem that you may encounter at some point in your life is periodontal disease, which is when the soft tissues around the teeth are infected and inflamed. Its early form is known as gingivitis, and it can be treated if caught early enough. Here is what you need to know about diagnosing this problem to treat it before it is too late. 

Medical History 

A dentist will look at systemic conditions that can cause you to be more at risk for having periodontal disease. This could include problems with being diabetic or currently being pregnant. In addition, there are environmental factors that can play a role in if you are more susceptible to periodontal diseases, such as if you are a smoker, experiencing a lot of stress, or not getting proper nutrition from your diet. There are also certain medications you may be taking that can cause you to be more at risk.

X-ray Evaluation 

Your dentist will also want to perform an x-ray evaluation to see if you have any signs of currently having periodontal disease. One thing that they will be looking for is bone loss beneath your gum line. An x-ray can also reveal cavities in parts of your mouth that are difficult to observe, which is another sign of periodontal disease.

Extraoral Examination

Ever wonder what your dentist is doing when they are feeling around your jaw? They are actually examining your lymph nodes and temporomandibular joint because periodontal disease can cause these areas of your face to swell. A dentist can actually feel if something is off, which will give them an indication to look for more signs of periodontal disease. 

Oral Examination

There are several aspects of the inside of your mouth that can be examined by your dentist. They start by looking for changes to the shape of your mouth that would be considered abnormal, such as your tongue, roof of your mouth, and floor of your mouth. People with periodontal disease can also suffer from halitosis as well, which basically means that you have consistent bad breath. 

There is also a visual inspection of your gingiva, where the dentist pays attention to things such as the color, texture, and size of your gums. Periodontal disease can actually cause gum recession in certain patterns that help identify a problem.

Think you have an issue with periodontal disease? Schedule an appointment with your dentist to catch it as early as possible.