Gums disease can lead to pain, loosened dentition, loss of teeth, and even systemic bodily harm if left unattended. At Total Family Dental Specialists, we provide comprehensive periodontal care for patients experiencing gingivitis and periodontitis.
We have created this guide to help patients understand and identify early signs of gum disease, allowing you to enhance your at-home hygiene prior to developing advanced periodontal infections.
Inflammation
Puffy, or inflamed gums are one of the earliest signs of infection for many individuals. This inflammation can make the gums tender at the base of the tooth, and is often easily identifiable by sight.
If gums show signs of inflammation, you should immediately take on a more rigorous oral hygiene routine, including flossing twice a day. While this may lead to immediate discomfort or additional tenderness, regular brushing and flossing should soon reduce the inflammation.
Discoloration
Healthy gums should have a moderate pink or brownish color dependent on the natural pigment of your skin. Reddening of the gums regularly accompanies gingival inflammation. This can be treated in much the same way, by adopting an enhanced at-home routine.
Conditions such as thrush, a fungal infection, and leukoplakia, a pre-cancerous condition which often arises from excessive tobacco or alcohol consumption, can cause whiteness, in which case patients should immediately seek the attention of their dentist.
Bleeding
For patients who have failed to notice the visible inflammation or discoloration of their gums, bleeding can often occur during regular brushings. Bleeding can also occur when patients eat hard or fibrous foods. This not only signals the continued progression of gum disease, but means that bacteria can enter the bloodstream, opening up the body to further complications.
If this occurs, take on additional brushing and flossing. Should bleeding continue to occur regularly, reach out to your dentist.
Recession
Gums receding away from the teeth is one of the early signs that gum disease is progressing to periodontitis. As the root is exposed, tooth sensitivity will rise, and teeth may even begin to shift out of position. If your gums have just begun to recede, brush and floss regularly, and reach out to your dentist, as you may require periodontal cleanings.
Contact Total Family Dental Specialists Today
Gum disease is treatable and reversible, but receiving treatment as quickly as possible will provide the most effective results for your smile. If you have already experienced these signs of periodontal disease, contact our specialists at Total Family Dental Specialists today.