What Are the Signs of Gum Disease?
Good oral care habits aren’t only important for healthy teeth, but also for healthy gums. If bacteria build up on your teeth around the gum line, they can infect and irritate the gums, leading to gum disease. This condition can be uncomfortable and can even have serious health implications if it’s left untreated.
The good news is that gum disease can usually be effectively treated when it’s caught early. Knowing how to spot the warning signs and when to see a dentist can help you to keep your gums healthy and avoid problems.
Gingivitis symptoms
The first stage of gum disease is called gingivitis. You might have gingivitis if:
- your gums look red or purple
- your gums are swollen or puffy
- your gums feel sore or tender
- your gums bleed when you brush or floss your teeth, or when you eat some hard foods
- you have persistent bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth
At this stage of the disease, there is no permanent damage to the gums or surrounding structures. Gingivitis can usually be reversed by improving your oral hygiene in combination with treatments from a dentist or hygienist.
Advanced gum disease symptoms
If gingivitis isn’t treated in time, it can develop into more advanced gum disease, also called periodontitis. You may have periodontitis if:
- your gums are receding (pulling back) from your teeth
- your teeth feel more sensitive to temperature
- any of your teeth feel loose or have fallen out
Periodontitis occurs when pockets of bacteria form inside the gum. This can damage the gum tissue and surrounding bone tissue over time, eventually leading to tooth loss. Having advanced gum disease also increases your risk of heart disease, stroke and other serious health complications if it isn’t effectively managed by a dentist.
When to see a dentist
Healthy gums shouldn’t bleed or feel painful. If you notice anything unusual about your gums, or you have other possible warning signs of an oral health problem, it’s always best to see a dentist. They will examine your mouth to identify the problem and discuss all your suitable treatment options, which will depend on what stage the gum disease has reached.
- Gingivitis can usually be treated with oral hygiene treatments to remove plaque from around the gumline. Your dentist might also advise you about how to take better care of your teeth and gums to lower your risks.
- More advanced periodontitis is more difficult to treat. This can involve deep cleaning of the gums to remove bacteria from around the roots of teeth or surgery to extract bacterial pockets inside the gum. If you’ve lost gum or bone tissue to periodontitis, your dentist might also discuss restorative procedures.
How to keep your gums healthy
The best treatment for gum disease is prevention through good oral hygiene. Brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing daily, limiting sugary snacks and drinks, and quitting smoking can all help to lower your risks. It’s also important to keep up with your regular dental visits once or twice a year for a professional check-up and clean.
If it’s been longer than 6 months since your last check-up, or you need to see a dentist, contact our friendly team at Mosman 3D Dental to schedule an appointment at our local clinic. Call us today on (02) 9969 8610 or book an appointment online.