Gum disease, also known as periodontitis, occurs when your gums have become infected as a result of a buildup of harmful bacteria. The progression of gum disease begins with gingivitis, a mild form of gum disease.
If gingivitis is left untreated, it will develop into periodontitis, meaning you have done irreversible damage to your gums. If your condition worsens and is still left untreated, you could develop advanced periodontitis, which may result in tooth loss. This blog from Williamson Dental is going to help you identify the 4 biggest early warning signs of gum disease.
- BLEEDING AND PAIN IN THE GUMS
Bleeding from the gums, especially when you brush or floss your teeth, is one of the earliest signs of gum disease. While having bleeding gums when you floss is not necessarily a cause for alarm on its own, when it’s combined with the presence of tooth discoloration, this points to the presence of plaque in the mouth. Plaque buildup can cause bleeding gums and gingivitis.
- PLAQUE AND TARTAR BUILDUP
When food particles are left behind in the mouth due to infrequent or inadequate oral hygiene, bacterial plaque in the mouth feeds off of left behind sugars and turns them into acids that attack your teeth.
Plaque is a sticky film that forms in the mouth and is full of bacteria. When plaque hangs around for too long, it hardens and turns into tartar. This tartar can form above and below the gum line, leading to gum recession.
Once you have a buildup of plaque and tartar, you must have a dentist remove it through scaling and root planing, because you will not be able to remove it yourself through regular brushing and flossing alone. Plaque that extends past the gum line can also cause an infection.
- BAD BREATH
Another early warning sign of periodontal disease is foul-smelling breath or a foul taste in the mouth. This can be a sign of plaque and bacteria buildup in the mouth, which give off an odor. Thorough brushing and flossing are necessary to ensure you remove all food particles from the mouth. Bacteria that feed off of left behind food particles release sulfur compounds, which give off a foul smell.
- POCKETS IN THE GUMS & GUM RECESSION
The beginning stages of gum disease manifest as inflamed gums that are visibly red and swollen. Your gums may also start to pull away from your teeth, referred to as gum recession. When this happens, a pocket can form in between your gums and teeth that trap bacteria and can lead to infection.
Your body then tries to fight against the infection by breaking down your bone and connective fibers that hold your teeth in place. As gum disease becomes more advanced, you will notice severe destruction of the bone and more extreme gum recession, leading to loose teeth or outright tooth loss.
Prevent Gum Disease With Regular Cleanings At Williamson Dental
Did you know that the best thing you can do to prevent the plaque and tartar buildup that leads to gum disease is to practice good oral hygiene? Brush your teeth twice a day for 2 minutes and floss daily.
However, make sure you include bi-annual dental visits in your oral hygiene schedule because periodontal care can reduce your risk of developing gum disease. To schedule an appointment with Williamson Dental in Festus MO or Williamson Dental in Columbia IL, contact us at Williamson Dental today.
