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How Do I Know If I Have Gum Disease?

Gum disease is an unfortunately common ailment among adults of all ages, yet whether out of stubbornness or a lack of information; it’s also something that tends to go undiagnosed and untreated. Not many people want to go to the dentist and will thus convince themselves that certain gum disease symptoms are not actually anything to worry about.

Most of the time, though, these symptoms do need to be addressed with a visit to the dentist. Answering some common questions about gum disease may help those suffering from it realize it and head to the dentist, while also providing tips and information on how to avoid it in the first place (or, at worst, prevent future flare-ups). Here are some signs of gum disease that should send patients to a dentist as well as advice on how they can improve the condition of their gums and teeth.

Gum disease may be the cause if eating or drinking—particularly hot or cold foods—has become uncomfortable. Don’t assume the food or drink is extreme on one end of the temperature scale—or, if you are experiencing pain while eating, that you, pardon the pun, might have bitten off more than you could chew. Increased sensitivity and pain in the gums and teeth is a common symptom when the gums are diseased.

The same goes for gums that bleed during brushing. Chances are the bleeding is not because you are simply brushing too hard. If this happens regularly, make sure to visit your dentist.

Changes in your mouth—both of the architectural variety and the aesthetic—may also signal a case of diseased gums. For instance, do your teeth look longer than you remember? The gums may be separating. Loose teeth, sores along the gums, pus between the teeth and gums and consistently bad breath are also indicators of gum disease.

Those who are suffering from gum disease have many questions about the disease—most notably how did this happen? The official term for the ailment is “periodontal disease,” and the word periodontal is defined as “around the tooth.” Periodontal disease occurs when bacteria in the plaque that gather on teeth inflame the gums.

Treatment for diseased gums can range from something as simple as better brushing and dental habits if the diagnosis is gingivitis, the least severe form of gum disease, to various types of minor surgery if the condition has worsened. These may include dental implants that replace diseased teeth or cosmetic procedures that improve the smile and appearance of someone whose teeth have been drastically impacted.

The second most popular of questions about gum disease is how can I prevent this in the future? While it is impossible to completely reverse factors such as receding gums, patients can minimize additional trips to the dentist with daily brushing, flossing and rinsing with mouthwash. Adding a daily dose of Vitamin D has also proven to be helpful, and will help to keep a patient healthy because Vitamin D aids in combating various kinds of infections.

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