Gum disease is a very serious concern, and not something to play around with, certainly. Gum disease can seriously impact your quality of life, and even endanger your general health, if left unchecked.
This is why we at Welling Corner Dental believe that education is as important as healthy dental care practices, like brushing and flossing. It’s important to know the most common signs of gum disease, since gum disease is actually largely preventable. Being able to spot early signs and causes of concern can mean acting quickly, and preventing your health from deteriorating.
Examine your gums.
While this might not be the most pleasant of tasks, it’s worth checking in with your gums every now and again. So first of all, take a good long look at your gums, in order to assess their general health.
Usually, healthy gums that aren’t a cause of concern are pink, and fit well around your teeth. They’re not supposed to be bulging out too far, or retreating into the bone. If you’re unsure whether or not you’ve got cause to worry about the health of your gums, look for other signs.
Signs of Gum Disease
Here are some of the most common signs that you might have cause to worry about your gums. Remember that gum disease, if left untreated, can lead to serious dental issues, including tooth loss, and we’re sure you don’t want that.
- Swollen gums – as we’ve seen healthy gums should be a snug fit around your teeth. If your gums are extra puffy and swollen, this is usually not a good sign.
- Red or purple gums – as mentioned, healthy gums should have a nice, pink color. So if your gums are bright red, or bright purple, or any unnatural looking color, then this might be cause for concern.
- Your gums bleed easily – this can be noticed while brushing your teeth. If when you spit, there’s often blood in your sink, then it might be a sign that your gums are in trouble. Another tell-tale sign might be a pink-tinged brush. Same goes for when you’re flossing. However, it’s worth noting that you could just be brushing or flossing very aggressively, in which case, you need to stop that.
- Gums are tender to the touch – if you’re uncomfortable touching your gums, then this might be a sign of inflammation.
- Bad breath – of course, we don’t mean a single occurrence, but if you’ve got persistent bad breath that won’t go away, regardless of what you eat, how often you brush, or using mints, then it might be because of the gums.
- Pus between the teeth and gums – the presence of pus is an obvious sign of infection, and should be treated immediately.
- It hurts when you chew – if you’re experiencing difficulty eating, or discomfort while chewing, it might be from the gums.
- Receding gums – gums that pull away from the tooth are infected.
- Teeth are realigning – if you’ve noticed new spaces in between your teeth, or shaky teeth, then this might be a sign of gum disease.
If you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms, needless to say, you should schedule a dentist appointment at your nearest convenience.
