Gum disease can quickly lead to adverse issues, like tooth loss, so getting gum disease treatment as soon as possible is essential. Knowing how to spot the early signs of gum disease increases the odds of getting early treatment. Gum disease can be reversed if a dentist starts treatments during the early stage, called gingivitis
To prevent gum disease from damaging your oral health, knowing the warning signs of its early stages can help you get treatment early.
1. Bleeding Gums
One of the first signs you need gum disease treatment will happen when you’re brushing your teeth or chomping on a snack. You might taste a copper taste in your mouth only to realize your gums are bleeding. Bleeding gums can be an indicator that you’re brushing or flossing too hard but it can also be a symptom of gingivitis – the earliest stage of gum disease. Your gums bleed when you have gingivitis because they become inflamed and more sensitive. That means just brushing and flossing, as usual, can irritate them and cause them to bleed.
2. Red, Swollen, or Inflamed Gums
When plaque and tartar build-up along the gum line, it will lead to inflammation. With the inflammation, you might notice your gums look red or swollen and feel tender to touch. Brushing and flossing might feel uncomfortable or even painful. You might notice these signs of gum disease before the bleeding gums, it really depends on how much attention you pay to your gums.
3. Receding Gums
Another sign of gum disease you might experience is receding gums. Gum recession occurs when the gum tissue begins to pull away from the tooth and expose more of the tooth including the tooth root. It can make your teeth look longer and feel more sensitive when exposed to hot or cold temperatures or sweets. As gum recession occurs, it makes it easier for bacteria to build up. This bacteria will continue to destroy gum tissue and the bone responsible for holding your teeth in place.
4. Bad Breath
As plaque and bacteria build up on your teeth, it will cause your breath to stink. This is because bacteria are stinky! If you don’t believe us, next time you floss, take a sniff of your floss to see what we’re talking about. Imagine tons of bacteria that smell like that built up along your gum line. It will cause your breath to smell no matter how much you brush your teeth. The only way to resolve your bad breath is with help from your Naples dentist, usually with a professional dental cleaning or scaling and root planing (deep cleaning).
