Gum disease is a very common condition that affects people everywhere each year. Left untreated, it is a degenerative condition that will progressively get worse and cause more serious consequences to a person’s oral and general health. Therefore, it is important to recognize gum disease symptoms as early as possible to make sure that it is treated. Read on to learn more about gum disease symptoms and what you can do about it when they arise.
The causes of gum disease
Gum disease is caused by a buildup of plaque and tartar beneath the gum line. Over time, this buildup causes pockets to form between the gum and teeth and in these pockets bacteria accumulates. This bacterium eventually multiplies causing infection and like any infection grows on its own when untreated.
The stages of gum disease
Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, occurs in 3 stages that progressively are more damaging and have more severe symptoms. The first stage of gum disease is gingivitis. Gingivitis is mild and is characterized by inflammation of the gums due to the buildup of plaque and tartar. Gingivitis is easily reversible if caught and treated early enough. The second stage of gum disease is periodontitis. Periodontitis occurs when gingivitis is left untreated. Periodontitis is characterized by the infection of the gum and bone tissues surrounding the teeth. The last stage of gum disease is aggressive periodontitis. This stage of gum disease is the most damaging and is characterized by the gums detaching from the teeth, which eventually leads to tooth loss. Tooth loss then leads to other oral and medical health issues.
Gum disease symptoms
There are numerous telltale gum disease symptoms. Some of these are easily identified at home and all of them are easily identified by a dentist. The severity of the gum disease symptoms increases with each stage of the gum disease. Proper oral hygiene habits will not only prevent gum disease but will also ensure that you are aware of your mouth and potential signs that gum disease is forming. Similarly, by visiting the dentist regularly, they will be able to identify gum disease early on and prevent the more severe gum disease symptoms from occurring. The most common gum disease symptoms are:
- Bleeding gums, especially when brushing and flossing
- Bleeding gums when eating
- Swollen gums
- Red or inflamed gums
- Painful gums, especially when touched or when eating
- Receding gum lines or teeth that have more surface area becoming visible over time
- Spaces developing between the gums and teeth
- Visible puss between the teeth and gums
- Chronic bad breath
- Loose teeth
- Loss of teeth
- Mouth sores
- Changes in bite or the way prosthetic teeth fit
- General and persistent mouth pain
Some of these gum disease symptoms only occur in the later stages of the disease. Some of them occur in all stages and are just progressively worse with each stage. All of them are important to pay attention to and seek treatment for as soon as possible. When left untreated, gum disease will only get worse. Therefore, early treatment based on the presence of gum disease symptoms is the most effective form of treatment available.
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