Gum disease affects a large number of Americans but it is surprisingly easy to ignore its signs. Since many people often focus their attention on issues with their teeth and since gum disease is often painless, the signs of gum disease can be ignored until they’re very severe. Unfortunately, while it is easy to disregard the symptoms of gum disease, its consequences are not; indeed, gum disease is one of the leading causes of adult tooth loss. Fortunately, paying attention to the early symptoms of gum disease can allow you to deal with the issue before it leads to more serious effects.
GUM DISEASE SYMPTOMS
Maintaining a regular tooth brushing regimen in conjunction with frequent flossing is both the best way to prevent gum disease and a chance to detect symptoms of gum disease before they become severe. Here are six signs that you shouldn’t neglect gum disease.
1. Pain
While typically the pain does not develop until gum disease has increased in severity, any pain in your gums should not be ignored; for many people, the first symptom of gum disease they notice is tenderness or discomfort in the gums or teeth.
2. Swollen gums
While safe disease-free gums look solid and pink in color, gums that have gum disease can swell, turning red or purple in color.
3. Bad taste in the mouth
Do you have in your mouth a persistent bad taste that won’t go away no matter how much mouthwash you ‘re using? It might just be a symptom of gum disease.
4. Bad breath that persists
Bad breath that doesn’t dissipate with daily tooth brushing or flossing can be a symptom of gum disease, like an unpleasant taste in your mouth.
5. Bleeding gums
Normally, healthy gums don’t bleed from daily tooth brushing or flossing; if your teeth bleed during your usual oral hygiene routine, you may have developed gum disease.
6. Lose teeth or spaces that grow between teeth
Changes to the spacing of the teeth are one of the more severe possible effects of gum disease. As your gums decay due to the effects of gum disease, spaces between your teeth can grow. This may allow pockets to grow which will cause bacteria to build up in your mouth. In turn, when you close your mouth or cause your teeth to feel loose, those pockets can affect the way your teeth line up.
What to do if you have these symptoms
If you are exhibiting any of the above gum disease symptoms, make an appointment with Pacific NW Dental Center that for a professional assessment as soon as possible, and to get the best gum disease treatment dentist in Spanaway WA.