More often than not, we focus on the health of our teeth while our gums remain largely overlooked. This shouldn’t be the case. With this article, we hope to equip you for better long-term dental health. For that reason, watch out for these early signs of gum disease.

5 Early Signs of Gum Disease

• Swollen or red gums
  Healthy gums should be firm and pink in color. If your gums are swollen or reddish, this is a sign that they are suffering from inflammation.
• Receding gums
  If your teeth look longer than normal, this means that the gums are starting to pull away from them. Gum recession is another sign that your gum disease is progressing.
• Bleeding gums
  If your gums bleed frequently, this is not because you are brushing or flossing too hard. Chances are you already have gum disease.
• Changes to your mouth
  If you are experiencing not-so-normal changes such as spaces forming between teeth or tender-to-the-touch gums, these are signs that you are due for a much-needed dental visit.
• Persistent bad breath – If you constantly have bad breath even if you just brushed your teeth, this is a sign that something else is going on in your mouth. Bad breath is frequently caused by plague buildup and because it can be an embarrassing experience, it needs to be treated right away.

Stages of Gum Disease

There are three stages to gum disease. Gingivitis is the early stage that affects the gums and necks of the teeth. If not treated, it will lead to periodontitis.

Periodontitis is the more severe form of gum disease that impacts the tissue of the teeth. During this stage, the gums begin to pull away from the teeth, the gum line starts to shrink, and more surface of the teeth is exposed.

The third stage is advanced periodontitis. In this final stage of gum disease, the supporting bone and fibers are irreversibly damaged, causing the teeth to loosen up. This will affect the bite and the affected tooth may need to be removed.

Treating Gum Disease

Periodontitis is the leading cause of tooth loss among adults. Although it is still treatable, the dentist will have to use more invasive techniques such as scaling, root planing, and deep cleaning.

It is recommended to visit the dentist at least twice a year for regular checkups. However, if you see any of these signs of gum disease, you need to make an appointment with Premier Dental Group to reverse the damage and prevent it from worsening.