Symptoms of Gum Disease

Before we address the symptoms for gum disease lets first address what gum disease is. Since 47% of your fellow Americans over the age of 30 have some level of gum disease and don’t know it, it would be wise to first understand what it is and then identify whether you might have some level of the disease.

What causes Gum Disease?

Granted, you could have a hereditary issue or a childhood illness issue that created your gum disease, but the lion’s share come from poor oral hygiene habits. By not brushing and flossing properly you allow bacteria carrying plaque to stick to your teeth. Over time this will end up under your gums and begin to infect the soft tissue. The first level of the disease is gingivitis, which is primarily inflammation of the gums. Over time the plaque becomes a mineralized substance called tartar. Now your gums are literally sick. When it progresses to this point it in now called periodontitis. Since the disease is usually pain free, the symptoms are mostly visual. Let’s see what you should be looking for.

Visual Symptoms to Look For

The very first sign would be if you have a pink tinge on your toothbrush. This means your gums are just starting to bleed. Of course, it can escalate from there regarding the bleeding. If you look in the mirror and notice that your gums are a deeper red, or appear swollen, or if they are becoming tender to the touch, these are early signs. Another tell-tale sign is your breath. If your family or friends are nice enough to say something about your breath, and is persists, then that is a symptom. Or if you have a bad taste in your mouth that you can’t figure out, that is another sign. Next would be the gums pulling away from, or receding, from the teeth, creating pockets. Things are getting bad if you feel like you have a loose tooth, or if your bite pattern feels like it might have changed. These are serious symptoms of gum disease.

What to do if you confirm a Symptom

You should immediately schedule an appointment with your dentist. The dentist will do an evaluation of the condition of your mouth and can determine the gum disease you may have and how far it has progressed. The dentist will do a professional teeth cleaning, removing the damaging plaque and possible tartar. This could be done in one visit or it may take several procedures to clean under the gum line and even down the roots of your teeth. Once the plaque, tartar, and infection carrying bacteria are removed the gums will settle down. Of course, if you take the suggestions of the health industry seriously and brush your teeth twice a daily and floss once a day, you can avoid this unnecessary disease altogether. You have to brush well though and floss well. By rushing and leaving the sticky plaque you will be one of those in the opening statistic, you have gum disease and don’t know it.

More Information on Gum Disease : More on Signs of Gum Disease