Gum disease is something that virtually everyone has heard of but doesn’t take seriously until they have developed the condition themselves. It occurs when the plaque that naturally accumulates on the outer enamel of our teeth begins to penetrate beneath the soft tissues of the gums. When this happens, the gums become sore and irritated. Eventually, an infection can develop, and this can put the health and longevity of your teeth at serious risk.
Most people will experience some stage of gum disease during their lifetime. If you visit your dentist regularly, he/she will hopefully spot the signs that is it developing early and support you in preventing its progression.
The early stages of gum disease (gingivitis)
In the early stages of gum disease, often referred to as gingivitis, it is very easy to overlook the symptoms that present themselves since they are fairly mild and can be ignored. Some of the early warning signs of gum disease include:
- Noticing blood in the sink and around your teeth when you brush and floss them.
- Gums that look red rather than pink.
- Gums that look swollen and feel tender.
- Bad breath that doesn’t improve after brushing your teeth.
However, if gum disease is not spotted and treated fairly early on, these symptoms will worsen. You will also start to experience some other, fairly unpleasant and even debilitating problems that are signs of the condition.
Advanced gum disease (periodontal disease)
Some of the key signs of advanced gum disease include the following:
Gums that seem to be receding and pulling away from your teeth. This can make your teeth look unusually long. You may even notice gaps between your teeth and gums. These are known as periodontal pockets and the larger they are, the more advanced your gum disease is. Food debris and bacteria can accumulate inside, adding to the decay and damage being caused and making your condition much worse.
Pus between your gums and teeth. This occurs when the soft tissue becomes infected and pus is a residue of dead white blood cells and bacteria intermixed with tissue debris.
Pain, ranging from mild discomfort to acute agony. You could experience pain when you are biting and chewing, drinking or even when you aren’t using your teeth at all. Over the counter medications may give mild relief, but most patients find that significant discomfort remains.
Loose teeth. As periodontal disease progresses, and the gums pull away from the teeth, the quality of the jaw bone is also compromised. This can enable teeth to come loose and even fall out altogether.
Why is gum disease bad?
Although the term may sound fairly innocuous, advanced gum disease can have serious consequences for your overall health and wellbeing, as well as making it difficult for you to retain your natural teeth. Research has shown that patients who have advanced periodontal disease are significantly more likely to go on and develop a range of chronic health problems including, but not limited to:
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Kidney and liver disorder
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Stroke
- Cancer
By preventing gum disease before it reaches the advanced stage, you could help prevent the aforementioned conditions and protect your long-term health.
If you have further questions about gum disease, or you would like to arrange for our expert dentists to assess your gum health, call T. Merrell Williams DMD, MS today at 813-519-0100.
