Do you experience bleeding gums every time you brush your teeth? Or are you seeing blood in your sink when you clean your teeth? Bleeding from the gums can be one of the initial warning signs that you have got gum disease.
The mild version of gum disease is called gingivitis. It infects only your gums. But if you don’t get it treated on time, the infection may spread below your gum line and into your jawbone. Thus, it becomes a more severe version of gum disease, known as periodontitis.
Regardless of the type, gum disease has been shown to tag along with other medical concerns. This includes heart disease, diabetes, pneumonia, cancer, and osteoporosis. So your best bet is to detect it early and treat it on time. But how to know if you’re suffering from gum disease? Let’s find out!
Symptoms of Gum Disease
Knowing the symptoms of gum disease is important. So that you can find and treat this issue before it gets serious. And you can only do that if you know what you should look for. So take note if you see:
Redness and Swollen Gums
The first sign that tells your gums to need attention is redness and swelling. As gum disease often starts with inflammation along the gum line, you may feel pain, tenderness, or see blood when you brush or floss.
Bad Breath
Your mouth is home to millions of bacteria. They feed on sugar and acids. Bacteria also release toxins that can irritate the gums and teeth. This often causes a foul smell in your mouth. You may experience bad breath if you have serious gum disease, as your breath usually doesn’t change much if you have gingivitis.
Smaller Gums
If your teeth appear longer than normal, chances are they are not growing. But in fact, your gums are receding. This occurs when your bone starts breaking down, and so, your gums separate from your tooth. This results in gaps and small pockets, making it easy for bacteria to further build upon your gums.
Sensitive Teeth
If extreme temperature foods and drinks make you wince, then there may be something wrong with your oral health. Teeth sensitivity is one of the symptoms of gum disease. This is because the sensitive part of your tooth (called the dentin) is exposed when your gums shrink, causing teeth sensitivity when exposed to hot or cold.
Shifting Teeth
Gum diseases can wiggle or shift your teeth. So if you notice any change in your smile, make sure to visit Houston Family Dentistry. This may be due to gum disease making your teeth loose or move. In fact, periodontitis (a severe form of gum disease) can cause tooth loss and may even change your teeth’ alignment.
How Does The Dentist Diagnose Gum Disease?
The dentist will conduct a dental exam, which typically evaluates the following things:
- Teeth alignment and sensitivity
- Gum bleeding, firmness, swelling, and pocket depth
- Your jawbone and surround tissues
So if you want to let a professional evaluate your oral health condition, please feel free to contact Champions Dental. We are more than happy to help you!
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