The easiest way to ward off gum disease is by maintaining good oral hygiene. To do this, you should brush your teeth twice a day (in the morning and evening), floss daily, and visit your dentist regularly.
However, if you experience any of the following signs, you might already have gum disease. If you think you have gum disease, don’t hesitate to visit your dentist. Gum disease is not something that goes away on it’s on, and it will only get worse with time.
1. Red or Bleeding Gums
One of the biggest telling signs that you have gum disease is the bright red gums. Normal gums remain light to dark pink but gums with disease turn a bright, fiery red or even purple. If you don’t catch it at this level, your gums may begin to bleed during your daily oral hygiene routine, such as brushing and flossing.
2. Gum Pain or Swelling
Along with the red coloration, you will start to experience pain in your gums. Usually, the pain begins around the same time that swelling shows up. The aching pain is your body’s way of telling you that you have a bacterial infection that you need to remedy.
3. Bad Breath
This point goes without saying. When you have a bacterial infection, it’s not going to smell good. Add that infection to an already smelly area (your mouth), and you have a recipe for disaster. In addition to bad breath, you may also notice a bad taste in your mouth that never seems to go away.
4. Gum Recession
After the swelling subsides, your gums will begin to recede. This is when gum disease becomes even more dangerous. When your gums recede, they leave your teeth open to the elements, which allows for more plaque buildup. Furthermore, without your gums to attach to, your teeth can loosen or even fall out.
5. Tooth Sensitivity and Loss
Since your teeth rely on your gums, they will start to become sensitive as well. If your gums do recede, not only will your teeth be sensitive, but they will begin to fall out.
Think of your tooth like a tree. The tree needs healthy soil so its roots can grow, and those roots keep the tree standing. When that soil diminishes, the tree dies and falls down. It’s the same with your teeth. If your gums recede and don’t provide your teeth with the support they need, then your teeth will fall out.
Don’t Hesitate to Get Gum Disease Treatment
If you are experiencing any of these issues, call us at Oasis Dental Arts. Don’t wait until you start losing teeth to treat your gum disease!