What are the First Signs of Gum Disease?

gum disease

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, affects more people than you think and is nothing to be ashamed of. It’s an infection of the tissues that hold teeth in place. This can lead to bigger issues if not handled properly. If you suspect you have periodontal disease, you should speak to your dentist to find out what you can do to counteract it.

If you believe you are suffering from any of the below symptoms of gum disease, talk to your dentist at Flower Dental.

Bleeding or Tender Gums

While you may often spit out pink or red foam when brushing your teeth or visiting the dentist, bleeding gums is not a typical happening during tooth brushing. If you’re seeing blood when you brush your teeth, it can be one of the first signs of gum disease. Further, if you notice your gums feel tender, swollen, or irritated, that is typically a sign of infection.

Persistent Bad Breath

Bad breath affects us all, but if it’s persistent and noticeable, no matter what you do, it’s a sign that something is wrong. A bad taste in your mouth or bad breath is a side effect of bacteria in the mouth That’s the odor you smell. If brushing your teeth, flossing, or mouthwash doesn’t do away with your bad breath, it could be a sign you have an infection somewhere in your mouth. Periodontal disease is a more common source of persistent bad breath than other causes such as an infected tooth.

Loose Teeth

Once you reach a certain age, your teeth should not come loose. However, if you notice a tooth is loose or seems to have shifted places, it could be a sign of periodontal disease. This is because the gums hold the teeth in place. When they become infected, weakened, or recede, then teeth lose their stability and may come loose or be in danger of falling out. This may also present as deep pockets that have formed in between teeth as the gums wear away. You may not notice this in the mirror or at all until you bite down and something feels off or if you have mouthpieces, such as dentures, that no longer fit right.

If you believe you have periodontal disease, you should talk to your dentist. They’ll take a look and find out if your symptoms of tender gums, bleeding, tooth movement, or even jaw bone issues are linked to gum disease and not another cause. Your treatment will depend on what stage of the disease is discovered. The goal is to promote reattachment of the healthy gum tissue to your teeth which involves nonsurgical therapies for bacterial control or, in some extreme cases, surgery to restore gum that is too worn away.