What Are Signs of Gum Disease?

 

Gum disease is an untreated infection of the tissues that surround and support your teeth․ It occurs when plaque builds along the ‌gumline and causes inflammation․ Early signs seem minor, and the changes happen slowly over months and even years, but being aware of the indicators may help you seek treatment before the infection spreads further and more invasive treatment is needed․

 

One of the earliest signs of gum disease is a change in color and texture of the gums․ Healthy gums are typically firm and light pink in color․ The persistent presence of bacteria leaves the tissue swollen or inflamed․ Your gums may feel or look puffy with more of a red color than light pink․

 

The next common sign of gum disease is bleeding gums․ If your gums didn’t always bleed when you brushed and flossed, but they do bleed now while brushing or flossing your teeth, they may be inflamed․ While you may want to think you are brushing too hard causes bleeding, ‌bleeding gums during normal oral hygiene activities generally result from gum disease; healthy gums do not bleed․

 

Persistent bad breath, or halitosis, that does ‌not improve with brushing or mouthwash, may be due to gum disease. The plaque-causing bacteria on the gums release unpleasant odors as they grow. Unless plaque and tartar are removed below the gumline, bad breath will continue․

 

Gum recession is a sign of advanced gum disease․ The inflammation in the gums can cause them to pull away from the teeth․ As the gums recede, ‌more of the tooth surface is exposed, giving the tooth a longer appearance․ Recession can expose the roots of the teeth, which do not have the same protective enamel layer so they are more sensitive to temperature differences in foods and beverages․

 

Your gums may be sore to the touch, but you may not always be in pain or feel discomfort․ However, their tenderness is a result of gum inflammation․ Severe periodontal disease leaves the tooth loose or even causes it to fall out. Your bite may change, and the bone supporting the tooth can be eroded by gum disease․ Your tooth may slightly wiggle or feel loose while chewing․

 

Severe gum disease will bring a severe symptom like pus between the teeth and gums․ It is the body’s immune system response to the bacterial infection in the periodontal pockets․ The tissues are fighting an infection, and a dentist should be consulted for professional treatment․

 

Pain is not common in the early stages of the gum disease, so a person may not be aware of the condition of his or her gums․ It is important to look for signs or a combination of them by checking for any bleeding, gum recession, persistent bad breath, or swelling․ Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent gum, bone, or tooth loss and expensive, invasive treatment․

 

If you have more questions about gum disease or how addressing it could help you achieve better dental health, make an appointment with the dentist to see your treatment options for gum disease.

 

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