What Are Gum Disease Symptoms?
The ultimate goal of general dentistry is to support and preserve the health of the natural oral tissues throughout a person’s lifespan. This includes maintaining as much natural healthy tissue as possible – natural, healthy teeth, surrounded and supported by supple gum tissue and sturdy bone. When teeth fall out, they can be replaced with prosthetic dental crowns; when bone or gum tissue is destroyed, new, transplanted tissue can be grafted and sculpted in its place. Dental specialists, like periodontists and endodontists, perform these repairs, and general dentists try to prevent the need for such repairs from arising in the first place, focusing on prevention and education. All the tissues and structures in the oral cavity – the gums, the ligaments, the bone, and the teeth themselves – rely on each other for stability, protection, stimulation, and vitality. The number one cause of tooth loss in adults is gum disease, which gradually destroys all the oral tissues if it isn’t treated, and preventing gum disease is one of your dentist’s key goals. It should be one of yours, too.
Even though millions of adults have gum disease, many of them don’t know they do. Gum disease starts when bacterial plaque builds up on the teeth and infects the gums. As it progresses, existing plaque calcifies and turns to tartar, and new plaque clings to the craggy tartar surfaces where it, too, calcifies. Tartar can’t be removed at home, but your dental hygienist scrapes it away each time they clean. Proper, regular brushing and flossing can remove most of the plaque that rests on the teeth, but it’s common for some to remain, even though you might not notice it, underscoring the importance of routine dental checkups and cleanings.
When gum disease does display symptoms, this is a sign that you need to see your dentist as soon as you can. It’s probably not a dental emergency, though if there are any signs of infection, like a fever or copious pus, it might be. In any case, the earlier you see your dentist, the easier it will be to treat the condition and save the natural oral tissues. The top ten symptoms of gum disease are:
- Gums bleeding while brushing or flossing
- Gums that are sensitive to touch or temperature
- Swollen, red, or otherwise “angry-looking” gum tissue
- Chronic bad breath
- A foul taste in the mouth
- Gums bleeding while eating
- Noticeable spaces between the gums and teeth
- Receding gums
- Mouth pain
- Loose or improperly aligned teeth
When you see your dentist, make sure to tell them about anything unusual you’ve been experiencing. Some things increase the risk of gum disease, like smoking, certain medications, or significant hormone fluctuations, so if your dentist asks questions that don’t seem related to your teeth, answer honestly and clearly. Between the review of your symptoms and overall medical history and their visual and manual assessment of your oral cavity, they’ll be able to gauge the extent of your gum disease or periodontal disease and determine the best course of action for treatment.
Early-stage gum disease can often be cleaned up with a dental deep cleaning procedure, performed by your dentist or dental hygienist, reversing the condition and restoring the oral cavity to health. When gum disease has progressed to periodontal disease, your dentist will refer you to a periodontist who specializes in these treatments, which could involve surgery. You can do your part to prevent the need for such procedures by maintaining a reasonably healthy lifestyle; seeing your dentist at least once a year, though every six months is preferred; and regularly, effectively brushing and flossing your teeth. These simple actions could make a big difference in the long-term radiant glow of your smile.
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