February 10, 2025
Gum disease, or periodontitis, is a dangerous but fairly common condition, affecting about 50% of adults in the United States. If not assessed promptly, periodontitis can lead to bleeding gums, gum recession, and even tooth loss, so seeking treatment from a periodontist in Montgomery, AL, is fundamental.
While the only way to accurately identify this condition is by visiting a periodontist, there are some signs you can look out for to identify gum disease, and here we’ll cover them.
Understand Some Unknown Signs of Gum Disease
1. Bleeding Gums
Your gums shouldn't bleed when you brush and floss. After cleaning, red or dark patches on your toothbrush or floss could be a blatant sign of gum disease. This could be accompanied by red or swelling gums.
Gum bleeding frequently occurs when flossing is neglected. Plaque, a sticky bacterial substance, can accumulate between teeth and along the gumline. The acids released by this plaque can inflame and irritate the gums, even destroying the fibers that connect the gum tissue to the teeth.
2. Gum Recession or Gum Pocketing
Your teeth stop growing as soon as you reach adulthood. So, if you suddenly notice that your teeth seem “longer,” it only means that the gums surrounding them are receding away. Gum recession indicates that gum disease is getting worse.
Gum tissue may separate from your teeth as the gums recede, creating pockets where more food particles and plaque can accumulate. These gum pockets deepen too much in the later stages of gum disease, making it harder to remove the food and debris by brushing and flossing.
3. Tooth Sensitivity
When gums recede, the innermost delicate surface of teeth starts to become exposed. This can lead to tooth sensitivity, which you'll notice when drinking cold or hot beverages.
It indicates that the tooth's root surface is becoming visible due to persistently inflamed gum tissue. Because of this exposed root, the tooth is more vulnerable to decay, abfraction (wearing of the root surface), tooth sensitivity, and possible tooth loss.
4. Bad Breath
A bacterial infection causes periodontitis, so halitosis, or bad breath, is a common sign of this condition. Plaque has a foul, bad odor. If your floss thread smells bad after flossing or the people surrounding you have been commenting on your bad breath, it can indicate gum disease.
Sensing a bad aftertaste in your mouth could also indicate an infection.
5. Mouth Sores
Many people will experience mouth sores at some point in their lives. The gums, tongue, inside of your cheeks, lips, and the floor and roof of your mouth are among the soft tissues that can develop these sores.
They typically last one or two weeks and cause a slight annoyance. Sores develop or worsen in the presence of excess oral bacteria, so they tend to indicate infections like gum disease.
Restore the Health of Your Smile with a Periodontist in Montgomery, AL
While pretty common, periodontitis can be a very dangerous condition for overall health. Besides affecting periodontal tissue and leaving teeth more prone to decay and tooth loss, studies have found associations between gum and cardiovascular health. This means that ensuring your mouth stays clean and healthy is also paramount for your entire body.
Here at Woodmere Cosmetic & Family Dentist, we want your smile to be as healthy as possible. Contact us today and schedule a consultation for a thorough dental exam!