What Are the Warning Signs of Gum Disease?
Gum disease is often referred to as a silent disease. Many of the symptoms do not appear until people are at the advanced stages. Still, there are some warning signs that you can look for to determine if you have the disease. If you have any of the warning signs, it is important to seek treatment immediately. While gum disease is not curable, it can be treated, so it does not advance.
Bleeding gums
When gums bleed while eating, brushing or flossing, it could be due to gum disease. Bacteria builds up under the gums, causing an inflammation. That, in turn, causes the gums to bleed. The bleeding typically gets worse as the disease advances.
Other reasons gums bleed
Bleeding gums are not always indicative of gum disease. When people first start a flossing routine, their gums might bleed. This should not persist for more than a couple of days.
Bleeding gums could also be caused by brushing too hard or from wearing ill-fitting dentures.
Receding gums
Gum disease also causes the gums to recede, making the teeth look longer. As the gums recede, the tissue creates deep pockets that gather bacteria. The pockets get deeper and deeper as the disease progresses.
Signs of receding gums
Many people do not realize their gums are receding because the process happens slowly. However, some people do realize their teeth look longer. Others might experience tooth sensitivity due to exposed roots.
Loose or separating teeth
When gum disease creates pockets in the gums, the teeth can become loose or separated. As this continues, it can become increasingly difficult to eat. Some people also might experience pain from the loose and separating teeth.
Other causes of loose teeth
While loose teeth are a sign of gum disease, teeth can become loose due to other issues, such as injuries and tooth grinding. Those who have loose teeth need to be evaluated to determine if it is due to gum disease or another problem. Then, the underlying issue can be treated.
Persistent bad breath
Anyone can end up with bad breath now and again, but persistent bad breath that will not go away is indicative of gum disease. If brushing, flossing and mouthwash do not eliminate the bad breath, gum disease is the likely culprit. The issue must be treated to eliminate the bad breath. The dentist will remove the plaque under the gums to remove the odor-causing bacteria.
Seeking treatment for gum disease
If you have bleeding and receding gums, loose or separating teeth or persistent bad breath, you might have gum disease. A full evaluation is needed to determine the cause of the problem. If you do have gum disease, your dentist will go over a treatment plan with you. While the treatment will not cure the disease, it will alleviate many of the symptoms and improve your oral health. It will also prevent the disease from getting worse.
Request an appointment here: https://www.qualitygentledentalcare.com or call Roman Khodosh DDS PC at (973) 676-2541 for an appointment in our East Orange office.
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