5 Warning Signs of Gum Disease You Must Not Overlook
People often focus on how their beautiful teeth will look to others when they smile and forget about the gums that are supporting their pearly whites. Remember that your teeth will not look beautiful if not for the gums holding them. Dental health is not all about the teeth, as the gums are also responsible for keeping your teeth intact.
Now that gum disease is becoming more common, we’ll discuss the early signs you must watch out for to keep your confident and healthy smile.
Indicators of Gum Disease
Gum disease is an inflammation and infection of the gums and bones supporting the teeth. It’s called gingivitis in its early stage and periodontitis in its more severe form. This is why it’s advised by professionals to be consistent with dental cleanings and exams to prevent or even treat dental conditions that may disrupt your confidence and affect your entire health. So below are the five significant signs of gum disease to help you be proactive in going to the dentist should you experience any of them.
1. Bad breath
Persistent bad breath and an unpleasant taste in the mouth might indicate gum disease. When you neglect tooth brushing or flossing daily, you’re encouraging bacterial growth in the mouth, which causes bad breath. If this continues, the plaque buildup on the teeth can cause toxins that may eventually lead to gum disease.
Tooth cavities can also contribute to the development of gum disease and turn fresh breath into bad breath. So if you have tooth decay that needs dental fillings to be addressed, book an appointment with a family dental clinic immediately to fix it.
2. Loose teeth
Teeth that feel wiggly, loose, or weak indicate severe gum disease. Bacterial infections can form small pockets beneath the gum line, causing the gum to separate from the tooth root. When the decay sets in, it can be painful and may require tooth extraction. This can be fixed with pocket reduction, a procedure to bring the gum tissue into contact with the tooth root.
Do you have a loose tooth that you want to save? This can be possible with endodontics treatment. The dentist can preserve your loose tooth through root canal treatment. You may visit this link to learn more about root canal treatment.
3. Receding gums
If you’re experiencing gum recession, your gum disease has gotten more serious. Poor oral hygiene can make the gums look inflamed, and your gum line appears lower in some teeth than others. Receding gums can cause the tooth roots to be exposed, putting the teeth at risk of infections, cavities, tooth loss, and extreme sensitivity. This is a health concern your dentist must know immediately to prevent more serious dental issues.
If you’re having gum surgery to fix your receding gums and considering dental implants, you should completely heal first. It’s vital to ensure your oral health is in good condition before proceeding to have dental implants from facilities like Essenmacher Dental.
4. Tooth sensitivity
Do you experience tooth sensitivity and severe pain when drinking cold or hot beverages? This is a sign of tooth exposure and gum recession. Gum recession and pocketing are two significant signs of gum disease and can cause sensitive teeth. If your teeth seem fine and don’t have any cavities, but the sensitivity worsens, you must see your dentist, as this might be caused by gum disease.
5. Bleeding, swollen, or sore gums
Gums that ache or bleed may be caused by gum disease. Healthy gums should not bleed when you brush and flush. Without regular tooth brushing and flossing, plaque will accumulate and eventually irritate the gums, making them sensitive, swollen, and prone to bleeding.
