Gum disease, or periodontitis, is a painful condition that affects many Americans each year. While it is preventable with the practice of good dental hygiene, it’s also essential to know the early signs of gum disease, just in case. That way, you’ll know when to call your dentist for periodontic services to help treat gum disease. At Wambaugh Dentistry, we treat all the stages of gum disease. However, we recommend coming into our office sooner rather than later to get the best results. If you think you are suffering from gum disease, call Wambaugh Dentistry at 281.501.7849.
What Is Gum Disease, and Why Is It So Bad For You?
Gum disease occurs when the bacteria in your mouth build up around the plaque in your teeth. Plaque is a thin, sticky film covering your teeth that you can remove easily with regular brushing and flossing. When the bacteria start to build up, your gums will become inflamed, and you may experience some minor bleeding while brushing your teeth. This condition is the early stage of gum disease, but it can and will progress further if you leave it untreated.
In the later stages of gum disease, the gums will begin to pull away, or recede, from your teeth. This is very bad, as it allows for more bacteria to get into the space between your gums and your teeth. At this point, dental intervention is most definitely necessary to treat the gum disease and possibly even save your teeth.
What Can Cause Gum Disease?
There are a variety of reasons why you may develop gum disease. Illnesses like cancer or diabetes can leave you more prone to mouth infections, and hormonal changes can also make your gums more sensitive. Sometimes certain medications cause your mouth to have less saliva than normal, which encourages bacterial growth. Also, poor oral hygiene habits like not brushing your teeth enough or flossing once a day can almost certainly cause gum disease. Smoking is another risk factor as well.
What Are the Early Signs of Gum Disease?
There are several key signs you might be developing gum disease. There is a range of symptoms that indicate that a dentist’s visit is in order, including:
- Red and swollen gums-If your gums are healthy, they will be firm and pink.
- Gums that start to bleed during and after brushing your teeth-This is a sign that your gums are becoming sensitive due to bacterial buildup.
- Bad breath, even after brushing your teeth-This is caused, again, by bacterial buildup in your mouth.
- Receding gums-This is technically a sign that you officially have more severe gum disease, but it can happen in some early stages as well.
- Remember, receding gums means more bacteria can get into your mouth and cause bad infections.
If you have any of these symptoms, you should consult with your dentist as soon as possible about treatment options. They can properly diagnose gum disease by checking for gum bleeding and swelling, gum firmness, and something called pocket depth, which is simply the space between your gums and your teeth.
Seek Dental Care at Wambaugh Dental Today
If you have symptoms of gum disease, do not delay. Gum disease can quickly worsen and become not only very painful but also dangerous. At Wambaugh Dentistry, we are experts in treating both early and advanced stages of gum disease. However, again, we highly encourage you to come in sooner rather than later if you are experiencing any of the above early signs of gum disease. So if you have these symptoms, call us today at 281.501.7849 to schedule an appointment.
