Symptoms of Gum Disease

Your mouth is a gateway to the rest of your body, literally and figuratively. You use it to feed your body and keep it healthy, but the health of your mouth is also indicative of the health of the rest of your body. Studies show links between the health of your gums and serious health issues like heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. What does gum disease look like, though? Here’s a closer look at signs to look out for and when to give us a call.

Symptoms to Look Out For

• Swollen or red gums
• Bleeding gums
• Receding gums (you’ll notice your teeth look longer)
• Bad breath or sour taste that lingers
• Pus between teeth and gums
• Shifting teeth
• Loose teeth
• Change in bite (the way your teeth fit together)
• Heightened sensitivity to heat, cold, or pressure

Gum Disease Stages

There are multiple stages that gum disease moves through. The early stages are easy to miss, so it’s important that you keep up with your regular dental cleanings every six months. We keep a close eye on your gums and will let you know if we see any signs of gum disease.

Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease. It consists of red, swollen, and inflamed gums. You may notice that your gums bleed when you brush or floss, or that your teeth are sensitive to heat or cold. Typically a thorough cleaning and better at-home care can clear up gingivitis. If gingivitis isn’t address, you’ll start to develop pockets between your teeth and gums. This means your gums are starting to pull away from your teeth. Infections can develop in these pockets. If that happens, you’ll move into the more serious gum disease stage, called periodontitis. In this stage, your teeth may become loose, you may have bone loss, and your teeth may even start to fall out. Oral surgery is often required to remove the infection, fix the bone loss, and even replace infected teeth.

When to Visit the Dentist

If you notice any of the above signs, give us a call and we’ll let you know if you should schedule an appointment. For the more serious signs like loose teeth, pus, or a shifting bite, we’ll definitely want to see you to start you on a treatment plan as soon as possible.

As your dentist, we care for more than your teeth. We care for your gums, jaw, and entire mouth. We want to make sure that your gums stay healthy so your smile stays healthy and beautiful. Make sure you keep up with regular appointments and call us if you notice any of the signs of gum disease.