Your dentist cares about your oral health and the appearance of your smile. While your teeth are certainly the most noticeable part of your smile and what many people associate with oral health, your gums cannot be forgotten. After all, it is your gums that help to hold your teeth in place and serve as the protective layer that fits over your jawbone, nerves, and blood vessels.
Just as your teeth can be affected by bacteria in the form of tooth decay, your gums can also be affected by the same bacteria in the form of gum disease. In fact, as many as 47.1% of adults over the age of 30 have been found by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to have some form of gum disease.
The most mild form of gum disease is known as gingivitis. Since it is a mild form, some people may not even know that they have gingivitis. Unfortunately, this can cause the disease to progress to periodontitis, or advanced gum disease. Once gum disease has progressed to an advanced level, it cannot be reversed and must be carefully managed to prevent it from progressing further. To prevent this from happening, here are some signs of gum disease you should be aware of:
Visual Changes
Gums that are healthy are varying shades of a coral pink color. If your gum color begins to change from coral to a deep pink or red color, this is usually one of the first signs that you may have gum disease. In addition to the changes in gum color, another visual change to look for is blood or swelling. This is because gum disease causes inflammation in the gums which manifests as swollen gums or gums that bleed easily during normal brushing and flossing. However, your gums can also become irritated as a result of other factors such as brushing too hard, therefore it is important to have a dentist diagnose the exact cause.
Receding Gums
As gum disease progresses, another sign is gum recession, which is characterized by the gums pulling away from the teeth. In most cases, gum recession occurs when the gums are trying to move away from excess bacteria that have accumulated along the gum line. Generally speaking, the more bacteria that accumulate causes more severe gum recession. As a result, the teeth may start to look very long and they can become loose, shift, or fall out.
Pain
Although pain is a sign of gum disease, the type of pain most commonly associated with gum disease is tooth sensitivity. Unfortunately, this can cause many people to believe that the problem is with their tooth, rather than their gums. Tooth sensitivity occurs in coordination with gum disease because the exposed tooth roots allow stimuli to enter the tooth and irritate the nerve. In some cases, pain associated with gum disease can also be experienced within the gums or while chewing foods.
Overall, visual changes, receding gums, and pain are all key signs that gum disease may be present. In most cases, mild forms of gum disease respond well to treatment, so it is encouraged to schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as you notice any changes consistent with gum diseases. Additionally, you can protect your gum health by brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and scheduling regular dental checkups and cleanings every six months.
Dr. Martin is a highly skilled dentist of 16 years, and a graduate of Baylor College of Dentistry. During this time, he has placed over 500 implants and maintains his skills by taking more CE courses than required by the State Board each year.