Signs and Symptoms of Gum Disease

Have you noticed a bit of blood on your toothbrush or sink when brushing? Or perhaps, your gums are feeling more sensitive or sore. You might have gum or periodontal disease. In mild variety, gum disease is called gingivitis. At this stage, the gums are only infected or irritated. Fortunately, seeking treatment can help treat and reverse gingivitis.

If not treated promptly, the infection spreads further under the gum line and even bone, leading to bone damage, tooth loss, and other long-term complications. Gum infection is also linked to an increased risk of health conditions like diabetes and heart disease. A severe form of gum disease is called periodontitis and is irreversible.

Symptoms of Gum Disease

In its early stages, gum disease does not always have noticeable symptoms. Routine oral exams and cleanings are your best chance to catch gum disease before progressing to advanced stages.

Below are common symptoms to watch out for:

• Red, sore, or swollen gums

Healthy gum tissues should be pink, firm, and painless. Any change in color, fit, or shape could indicate a problem. Red, tender, sensitive, and sore gums are often the first symptoms of gum disease.

• Bleeding gums

Bleeding gums can happen due to several reasons. For instance, vigorous brushing and eating hard items can irritate the gums, leading to gum bleeding. However, you might have gum disease if you’re not doing any of these and you still notice blood regularly when brushing or eating.

• Bad breath

Your mouth naturally has millions of bacteria, both good and bad. They feed on the foods we eat, especially sugars and starches. In large amounts, these bacteria release toxins that irritate the gums, erode your teeth and cause bad breath.

• Receding gums

Over time, bacterial plaque and calculus develop under the gums, creating deep gum pockets. It causes the gum tissue to detach from the teeth, also known as gum recession. Gum recession often happens at the later stages of gum disease. If not treated, it exposes the underlying bone, tooth’s roots, and connective tissue, potentially resulting in tooth loss, jawbone damage, and other oral concerns.

If you’ve noticed that your teeth look longer than they usually do, it could indicate your gums are receding or shrinking, which are signs of gum disease.

• Sensitive or painful teeth

When gum tissues recede, they expose the hidden part of the tooth, causing sensitivity—pain when chewing can also indicate gum disease.

• Loose, shifting, or falling teeth

If not treated promptly, gum infection can spread to the teeth-supporting tissues like the jawbone and connective tissues. When weak or loose, they can’t adequately hold the teeth in position, often resulting in loose, wiggly, or falling teeth.

• Abscess

Have you noticed a painful pus-filled pimple around your gums or teeth? An abscess often indicates an infection in your gums or tooth. If not treated promptly, it can spread to other parts of the mouth and body. Contact your dentist immediately if you have pus between your gums and teeth.

When to Seek Gum Disease Treatment

If you have any of the symptoms listed above, you should schedule an appointment with our dentist in Claremont, NH, for treatment. The sooner you seek treatment, the better the chances of reversing the gum damage. Prompt treatment also prevents long-term damage and the need for invasive treatments like surgery.

Gum Disease Treatment

After diagnosing you, the dentist will discuss the best treatment plan to restore the health of your gums and mouth. We offer non-surgical gum disease therapy in Claremont, NH. Gum disease treatment can include:

• Good oral hygiene and regular dental cleanings: You can manage mild gum disease through excellent oral hygiene and routine dental cleanings.
• Medication: The dentist can prescribe antibiotics, inflammation, or other medications to help control gum infection and inflammation.
• Deep Cleaning: Involves in-depth cleaning above and below the gum line to remove bacterial tartar and plaque. The dentist will also smoothen your teeth roots to help the gums to re-attach to the teeth firmly.
• Surgery: If you have periodontitis, you might need surgery. Options can include gum graft surgery, flap surgery, bone grafts, and guided tissue regeneration.

Schedule an Appointment Today

Do you have questions about gum disease or need more information about it? Book a dentist appointment at Claremont Dental Group in Claremont, NH, today.