Gum disease is an inflammatory condition caused by bacterial buildup that begins at the gum line. Plaque, or the sticky film that forms on your teeth after eating, is composed of bacteria that feed on starches and sugars left behind by food. When bacteria accumulate, they can spread and infect your gums, causing a variety of issues! The early stage of gum disease is called gingivitis, which is reversible with treatment. Although if left to progress, gingivitis becomes periodontitis, which deteriorates both your gum and bone tissue. Without prompt treatment to manage your symptoms, periodontitis will eventually cause irreparable harm and, potentially, tooth loss. But what are the signs of gum disease? How do you stop gingivitis from advancing to periodontal disease?
The truth is that it can be difficult to know when you’re experiencing gingivitis. In fact, almost half of all adults in the US have some form of gum disease, likely because they’re unaware of the symptoms. To keep your smile healthy, you’ll need to care for your smile, know what to look out for, and attend routine dental visits.
What Are the Common Signs of Gum Disease?
In the beginning stages of gum disease, patients rarely feel pain. Instead, they may experience other symptoms such as bad breath, sensitive teeth, and bleeding gums!
However, all of these symptoms can have other causes, making it difficult for some to notice the infection.
Bleeding Gums
Bleeding gums can be a sign of a few different issues. Something as simple as brushing your teeth too hard may cause your gums to bleed. And yet, persistent bleeding gums may be a sign of a more serious problem.
To determine the cause of your bleeding gums, we take digital X-rays of your smile. From there, we determine the root of your problem! If it is gum disease that’s causing your gums to bleed, the treatment depends on the severity of your case.
For the early stages of gum disease, we’ll perform regular dental cleanings every few months. But if the bleeding persists, we may need to use deep cleanings that reach below your gums to clear the infection.
Hopefully, we catch your infection in the gingivitis stage and undo any damage it has caused to your gums!
Tooth Sensitivity
Additionally, if your teeth suddenly become sensitive or remain sensitive for an extended period, that may be a sign of a more serious issue.
Most commonly, sensitive teeth occur because a vulnerable part of your tooth gets exposed. Issues like cavities or excessive teeth grinding wear down enamel, exposing the layer of yellowish dentin beneath. Dentin is very sensitive, especially to hot and cold temperatures. Fortunately, with prompt treatment, these issues can be remedied!
Gum disease may also cause sensitivity, but for a different reason. As bacteria reach below your gum line, it causes your gums to pull away from your teeth. When your gums recede, they reveal your sensitive tooth roots, which are much more vulnerable to sensations!
If your sensitivity is due to gum disease, we’ll use comprehensive treatments like scaling and root planing. With professional deep cleanings and a rigorous at-home dental care routine, we can help remove the infection and significantly reduce sensitivity.
Take the Signs of Gum Disease Seriously: Visit Dr. Z Today!
Gum disease is an infection of the gum tissue that, if left untreated, endangers your smile. However, the symptoms start subtly and often painlessly, causing patients to miss the first signs of trouble. To ensure that your smile stays healthy. It’s important to keep up with your dental care and visit Dr. Z routinely for dental checkups. There, we will examine your smile and check for signs of early infection.
Are you noticing possible signs of gum disease? Book a free initial consultation at East Longmeadow Family Dental Center to learn more!
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