What Are Signs of Gum Disease?
In many cases, gum disease in its early stages is painless, causing no noticeable symptoms, which is a key reason that regular dental checkups are so important. You may not realize it, but painful cavities aren’t the only reason we see the dentist. Keeping the gums healthy helps maintain the health of all the other oral tissues, including the connective tissues and bone that hold the teeth in place over the long haul, and routine dental checkups are often the only place where symptoms of early gum disease are present. Your dentist measures your gums and probes to test their health every time you see them for your routine checkup, and your dental hygienist removes plaque and tartar that hide in unseen places and inflame the oral tissues. While many cases of gingivitis are asymptomatic until they advance, there are some signs that you can look out for to help ensure that you’re doing all you can to prevent gum disease. If you notice any of these signs of gum disease, schedule a dental appointment, and remember that the sooner you address the situation, the easier it will be to treat.
What are the most common indications of gum disease?
Common signs of gum disease include:
- Visibly swollen or red gums
- Extremely sensitive gums
- Bleeding from the gums while brushing or flossing
- Chronic bad breath
- A bad taste in the mouth
- Receding gums, perhaps accompanied by the feeling of loose teeth
- Noticeable infection in the gums
If you notice any of these symptoms, make an appointment with your dentist. While many of the more extreme symptoms might signify gum disease that is too advanced to reverse, earlier symptoms can often be addressed with a thorough dental cleaning. When infection has advanced and is infecting the periodontal tissues, the first line of treatment is a periodontal treatment known as a dental deep cleaning. The techniques used in a dental deep cleaning are scaling, which means scraping layers of calcified tartar carefully off the surfaces of the teeth beneath the gum line, and root planing, which means resurfacing the tooth root to discourage the future accumulation of tartar and plaque. This intensive cleaning treatment allows the gum tissue to return to its normal size, removing the source of inflammation, where it can effectively protect the teeth from future tartar buildup. When periodontitis has progressed, treatment may also involve removing necrotic tissue, placing tissue grafts where needed to replenish lost bone or gums, reshaping existing tissue, and replacing missing teeth.
Routine dental visits and diligent home hygiene are just two of the ways you can help prevent the destructive effects of gum disease. Maintain a healthy, balanced diet that’s rich in a variety of nutrients and low in sugar, and brush your teeth after particularly starchy meals or sugary treats. If you smoke or use tobacco, talk to your doctor about quitting. In addition to tobacco use, some other outside factors contribute to the risk of gum disease. These include substance abuse, certain nutrient deficiencies, some chronic medical conditions, stress, age, and hormonal fluctuations. In many cases, your dentist will recommend that you address these underlying concerns concurrently with any treatment for gum disease, to make sure the gums and periodontal tissues have the best chance they can at vitally supporting a full mouth of healthy teeth.