The symptoms of periodontal disease are usually not noticeable until the disease is advanced. They include, bleeding, tender, red and swollen gums, persistent bad breath that does not go away, sensitive, loose teeth, painful chewing. Any of these symptoms, may be a sign of a serious problem and should be checked as soon as possible by a dentist. The dentist will ask about your medical history, in order to be able to identify risk factors and underlying conditions. The hygienist or dentist will examine your gums and note any indication of inflammation. They will use a probe (a tiny ruler) to check for periodontal pockets and to measure them. In a mouth that is healthy, the depth of these pockets usually is between 1 and 3 millimeters. They may take an X-ray to find out if there is any bone loss. The dentist may send you to a periodontist ( a specialist who treat gum diseases).
