05 Dec How to Recognize the Symptoms of Gum Disease
Do you have trouble with bad breath? Does your toothpaste ever look pink when you spit it out? If so, you might have gingivitis. Gum disease affects more than half of all adults in the United States, and it can affect children and teens as well. It’s caused by the same plaque and tartar buildup that causes cavities, and just like a cavity, you might not notice the early symptoms.
However, one reason that gum disease is so dangerous is that it has no cure. The early stages can be reversed, but after it reaches a certain point, it causes permanent damage. So if you have gingivitis, the sooner you seek treatment, the better. Here’s how to recognize the signs.
What Are the Symptoms of Gum Disease?
1: Bad Breath
Do you seem to constantly have a sour taste in your mouth? Do you have bad breath all the time, even shortly after using mouthwash? Plaque and tartar release bad odors as well as foul-tasting acids. That’s why bad breath and a sour taste are two of the first signs of gum disease.
2: Redness and Swelling
Do your gums look pink and firm, or are they reddish and sort of puffy? Does it looks like there’s a ridge along your gum line? If your gums feel tender when you brush or floss, you may have gingivitis.
3: Bleeding
Does your toothpaste look pink when you spit it out? Do your gums bleed when you floss your teeth? Bleeding is a definite sign of gingivitis, and it’s one of the most noticeable early symptoms. If your gums are bleeding, it is not normal, and it’s time to see a dentist for treatment.
4: Receding Gums
Does it look like your teeth are getting longer? Do your teeth look yellowish where they meet your gums? When your gums start to pull away from your teeth, gum disease has progressed to its irreversible stages. You may suffer permanent gum tissue loss, exposing the vulnerable roots of your teeth to decay.
5: Soreness
Do you feel a dull ache in the roots of your teeth? Is there an itching sensation in your gums? This is a sign of a chronic infection below the gum line. Without treatment, it will spread to your tooth roots and jaw bones.
6: Loose Teeth
Does it feel like your teeth are sort of wiggly when you press on them or when you bite down? During the later stages of gum disease, your teeth actually do become loose, because the gum and bone tissues that should support them are deteriorating.
7: Changes in Your Bite
Does it seem like your teeth don’t fit together the same way they used to? Do you have to shift your jaw to find a comfortable resting position? If gum disease has started to affect the support structures for your teeth, they will start shifting and begin to change their positions.
Treatment for Gum Disease in Prescott, Arizona
Dental checkups are the best way to detect the early signs of gingivitis. So don’t skip your exams, even if your teeth seem perfectly healthy. As a holistic practice, it’s our goal to prevent problems like gum disease before they can cause permanent damage. We also offer painless, non-invasive treatments like laser therapy and ozone therapy.
If you’re due for an appointment or worried about the health of your gums, contact us to schedule a visit today.
Photo by Timothy Dykes on Unsplash used with permission under the Creative Commons license for commercial use 11/26/24.