Signs and Symptoms of Gum Disease (Periodontal Disease)

The American Dental Association defines periodontal disease as a type of infection that targets the bone and gum tissue supporting your teeth. Healthy gum tissue fits properly around each tooth, ensuring their stability. When periodontal disease strikes, your gums, and jawbone start to weaken. Lack of treatment will result in the deterioration of your oral health. If you want to be familiar with the signs and symptoms of gum disease, here’s what you should know.

 

Receding Gums

This is when your gums start to pull back from your teeth. When the gums recede, the roots of your teeth start to show more. Pockets between your gum line and teeth start to form as well. Bacteria begin to enter these pockets more easily. Without treatment, gum recession will lead to damage in your jawbone and gums, resulting in tooth loss. Usually, people are not aware that they have receding gums. You will know that your gums are receding if you notice that your teeth are becoming a bit longer or are becoming sensitive.

 

Swollen Gums

When you feel that your gums are swollen, you should see your dentist immediately. This symptom of periodontal disease starts when your gumline becomes painful and tender. Your gums may also bleed when you brush or floss.

 

Tooth Sensitive

Your teeth are sensitive when drinking cold or hot beverages becomes painful for you. Tooth sensitivity usually happens alongside the gum recession. When your gums pull back, your dentin loses its protection. When cold air and water touches the exposed dentin, you experience tooth sensitivity.

 

Shifting Teeth

Dental experts say that wiggling or shifting teeth is a sign of periodontal disease. When your teeth shift, the alignment of your teeth changes. The shifting also alters the way you chew and bite. The moment you notice some movement in your teeth, you should set an appointment with your dentist right away.

 

Halitosis

Also known as “bad breath”, halitosis is an indication that bacteria are already thriving in your mouth. As bacteria continue to live on the plaque on your teeth, they excrete toxins that irritate your teeth and gums. They also give off a foul odor. Halitosis is usually the result of poor dental care habits, yeast infection, dental caries, or ill-fitting dental appliances.
 

You should see your dentist immediately if your halitosis does not go away after brushing, flossing, or rinsing. The bad odor may be due to a medical condition like dry mouth. Also known as xerostomia, dry mouth happens when you don’t produce the right amount of saliva. This clear, organic liquid moistens your mouth, washes dead cells off, and buffers the acids from plaque. If there is no saliva in your mouth, the dead cells remain in there and decompose, emitting a foul odor.

 

The early detection of periodontitis can reduce your risk of developing pneumonia, diabetes, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and even cancer. At John K. See, DDS, we only aim to detect and treat periodontitis early to prevent complications. Please visit our clinic in Camarillo, California, for a one-on-one consultation. You can also call us at 805-920-8600 if you want to set an appointment or make inquiries about periodontitis.