6 Warning Signs of Gum Disease

Gum disease is one of the most common and most dangerous dental conditions. There are many factors that may increase the risk of developing it, including poor oral hygiene, genes, diet, etc. The most efficient gum disease prevention practices are brushing, flossing, and visiting your dentist regularly.

Timely treatment is the key to preventing tooth loss caused by this condition. Therefore, you should contact a dentist immediately if you notice one of the following symptoms:

1. Bleeding Gums

In some cases, one may develop bleeding gums if brushing too hard or the bristles on your toothbrush are too thick. Note that this will only happen if you brush extremely hard as damaging healthy tissue is difficult. If this is the reason, the bleeding will stop fast and won’t reappear if you brush with more care.

Regular bleeding is a worrisome sign of inflammation that may turn chronic if not treated immediately.

2. Bad Breath

This is a most common symptom of gum disease, and might be the only one if the condition progresses ‘silently’. It’s most common in people who don’t floss.

If maintaining proper oral hygiene doesn’t remove the problem, you should consult a dentist to determine the exact cause of bad breath.

3. Gum Redness

This symptom usually appears after bad breath as it’s a signal of progressing gum inflammation. Inspect your mouth carefully every day and contact a doctor immediately if you notice that the tissue around the gum line has turned red.

4. Gum Sensitivity

This often occurs along with redness, but in some cases, gums may become sensitive without other visible signs of inflammation. If you experience sensitivity anywhere in the mouth, it’s best to consult a dentist who can determine the source of the problem and suggest an effective treatment.

5. Gum Swelling

Swelling, like redness, is a common sign of inflammation that may evolve into a chronic gum disease. If the swelling is light, it may be hard to notice. However, it’s usually accompanied by sensitivity. Swollen gums are prone to bleeding even if brushed carefully.

6. Receding Gums

Receding gums is a condition caused by swelling. If the tissue around your gum line is thin (varies from person to person), swelling will ‘lift’ it and expose a part of your tooth. This often causes tooth sensitivity.

The vast majority of gum disease symptoms, such as gum bleeding, redness, sensitivity and receding gums, are easy to notice because they cause a great amount of discomfort. Swelling and bad breath are often overlooked. It’s essential to inspect your mouth every day and maintain proper oral hygiene in order to prevent this dangerous condition.