Yaksu Dental Clinic: Repeated Gum Bleeding May Indicate Periodontal Disease

Yaksu Dental Clinic: Repeated Gum Bleeding May Indicate Periodontal Disease

‘Bleeding, sensitive, and painful’

You've probably heard or seen this phrase many times before. It's a well-known advertising slogan for gum medicine. This phrase accurately describes the typical symptoms of periodontal disease, commonly known as gum disease.

Periodontal disease is a oral condition that rapidly increases in adults in Korea, especially from their 40s. It affects a larger proportion of patients than cavities, yet many people don't take it seriously and overlook it, only seeking treatment at Yaksu Dental Clinic after their condition has significantly worsened.

Today, at Yaksu Dental Clinic, we'll take some time to learn about what periodontal disease is.

According to a survey by a university research team, about 70% of patients aged 65 and older in Korea experience dysphagia, commonly known as ‘swallowing difficulty’.

Dysphagia refers to a condition where, due to certain factors, one not only loses the pleasure of eating but also experiences problems with nutrient intake. Most cases involve discomfort from pain or bleeding during the process of eating and chewing, which naturally leads to avoiding food intake.

Dysphagia is said to worsen with age, especially from the time gums weaken due to aging. Since symptoms of overlooked periodontal disease can affect overall health in this way, consistent oral health management and prompt action when problems arise are essential.

Periodontal disease is categorized into gingivitis and periodontitis based on its progression. Gingivitis refers to a state where plaque (bacterial film) and tartar accumulate at the gumline, gradually creating gaps where oral bacteria invade and cause inflammation. Periodontitis is the stage where gingivitis worsens over time, leading to damage and destruction of periodontal tissues, including the gums and the nerves within the gums, and symptoms appear.

A typical symptom of gingivitis is bleeding gums when brushing, which we often experience in daily life. Of course, bleeding can occur if you brush too hard, or if your gums are injured during eating or by accident. However, these are usually one-time occurrences, whereas gum bleeding due to periodontal disease is characterized by its repeated appearance every time you brush.

Some individuals may also experience sensitivity or a tingling pain in their gums when consuming foods with temperature differences. However, many people find that the bleeding stops shortly after brushing, and gum pain often appears when gingivitis begins to worsen. As a result, many cases of neglected gingivitis progress to periodontitis over time, and patients only visit Yaksu Dental Clinic when the condition has significantly deteriorated.

If gingivitis worsens to periodontitis, symptoms such as persistent bad breath even after brushing and pus discharge from the gums will appear. Visually, the gums will recede significantly, making the teeth appear longer. Tooth mobility may also worsen. As one gets older, the likelihood of loose teeth falling out increases, so it is recommended to prevent further deterioration by seeking periodontal disease treatment at Yaksu Dental Clinic as early as possible.

Even if teeth are severely damaged and deemed unusable, or have already fallen out, action is necessary. Oral diseases can spread from damaged teeth to other remaining teeth, and leaving missing teeth untreated can lead to various problems, including oral issues, malocclusion, reduced chewing ability, and digestive problems. In such cases, efforts are needed to preserve the remaining natural teeth by implanting dental implants to replace the damaged teeth.

At Yaksu Dental Clinic, when patients visit, we conduct a thorough examination using 3D-CT equipment to assess their current oral condition and the extent of periodontal disease progression. Based on this, we provide a diagnosis and proceed with staged periodontal disease treatment tailored to the progression. Our principle for all treatments is to prioritize the preservation of natural teeth.

Furthermore, to alleviate the burden of pain for patients during treatment, we utilize various pain management systems, including digital painless anesthesia machines.

Even if you have already received an implant placement diagnosis at another dental clinic, Yaksu Dental Clinic conducts another precise examination to determine if there is truly no way to restore or preserve your natural teeth. If implant treatment is necessary, we assist with treatment using navigation implants, which can be performed on elderly patients and those with systemic diseases. After treatment, we also issue a 5-year implant warranty certificate to ensure long-term, semi-permanent use of the implants through consistent aftercare.

All treatments at Yaksu Dental Clinic are provided by the head director, a specialist in integrated dentistry with many years of clinical dental experience. The director personally handles everything from diagnosis to treatment and aftercare with 1:1 dedicated care. All treatment processes are explained thoroughly until the patient fully understands before proceeding.

All medical tools used at Yaksu Dental Clinic adhere to strict management, with one tool per patient and a 9-step sterilization system. For scaling treatment, which helps prevent periodontal disease, a licensed dental hygienist, not an apprentice, applies the appropriate speed and intensity according to the patient's condition to ensure stable treatment.

You might overlook periodontal disease now, thinking there's no pain or discomfort. However, periodontal disease progresses silently and rapidly over time, and by the time pain is felt and you visit Yaksu Dental Clinic, the disease is often quite advanced. Therefore, if you experience bleeding gums every time you brush, it is recommended to visit Yaksu Dental Clinic for a precise examination as soon as possible and adopt habits of thorough brushing and regular scaling for prevention.

Yaksu Dental Clinic, located a minute's walk from Yaksu Station Exit 6, offers evening appointments every Tuesday and Thursday for busy patients. You can easily book an appointment via Naver Reservation, KakaoTalk, or phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the early symptoms of periodontal disease?

The typical symptom of gingivitis, the early stage of periodontal disease, is bleeding gums when brushing. You might also experience sensitivity or a tingling pain in your gums when consuming foods with temperature differences.

How do gingivitis and periodontitis differ?

Yes, periodontal disease is classified into gingivitis and periodontitis based on its progression. Gingivitis is a state where inflammation occurs due to the accumulation of tartar and plaque at the gumline. Periodontitis is the stage where gingivitis worsens, leading to damage and destruction of not only the gums but also the periodontal tissues within the gums.

Does bleeding gums always mean periodontal disease?

No, not always. Bleeding can be a one-time occurrence if you brush too hard or injure your gums while eating. However, gum bleeding due to periodontal disease is characterized by its repeated appearance every time you brush.

What problems can arise if periodontal disease is left untreated?

If left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to pus discharge from the gums, receding gums that make teeth appear longer, severe tooth mobility, and eventually tooth loss. It can also affect overall health, causing issues like dysphagia, malocclusion, and digestive problems.

How does Yaksu Dental Clinic treat periodontal disease?

At Yaksu Dental Clinic, after a precise diagnosis using 3D-CT equipment, we provide staged periodontal disease treatment tailored to the patient's progression. We prioritize natural tooth preservation and apply various pain management systems, including digital painless anesthesia machines, to reduce the burden of pain.

What efforts are needed to prevent periodontal disease?

Yes, for periodontal disease prevention, consistent thorough brushing habits and regular scaling are important. If you repeatedly experience bleeding gums when brushing, it is advisable to visit a dental clinic for a precise examination as soon as possible.