Gum Disease Warning Signs
Too few of us pay sufficient attention to symptoms that could be gum disease; sometimes with disastrous results
If you ask anyone why they go to the dentist, they will almost certainly tell you that it is to look after their teeth so that they can avoid tooth loss and decay etc. Whilst the ‘dent’ part of the term means ‘tooth’ or ‘teeth’, the fact is that this is not the only care that we provide here at Bradley and Partners.
An important part of our service revolves around preventative care. This doesn’t only apply to your teeth but your general oral health too. One of the areas that we are concerned about, and one that is sometimes undervalued by some, is your gum health. Having a healthy set of gums is just as important as having a healthy set of teeth and whilst gums in poor health may not have the same visual effect as unhealthy teeth, they can lead to significant problems if not managed correctly.
Gum disease problems
The immediate issues with gum disease, in its early stages, largely revolves around the symptoms that we will look at shortly. Some of these, such as inflamed gums and bad breath can easily have an impact on our daily life, and in the case of halitosis, may even affect our social life quite badly. It isn’t just the unpleasantness of the symptoms that are an issue though; if gum disease is not treated early on and is allowed to advance, it can damage the bone in which the tooth is located. Once this happens, the bone can start to degrade and the tooth become loose and wobbly, eventually possibly falling out, if not treated.
How do I know if I have gum disease?
The best way to be sure, and to receive any necessary early treatment is to make sure that you see the hygienist at your local Canterbury dental clinic every six months or so. This will allow ongoing monitoring and any treatment at an early stage. One of the problems with gum disease is that although there are usually symptoms, which we will look at in a minute, it can also be a ‘silent’ disease and you may not have any obviously noticeable symptoms, at least until the problem becomes more severe.
With this in mind, let us take a look at some of the more common symptoms of gum disease.
Bleeding gums
This is perhaps the best known symptom, having been widely promoted on TV by companies selling toothpastes and other treatments that may help to prevent this problem. Although it is possible to ‘catch’ the gum when brushing your teeth, causing it to bleed, if this happens more than once you should get in touch with your dentist to have this checked out.
Soreness/inflammation
If your gums look red, instead of the healthy pink that they should be, or they feel uncomfortable, especially when you eat, it is quite possible that your gums are infected. Even if it feels relatively mild, you should contact your dentist. The worse you let the problem become, the harder it will be to reverse and manage the problem.
Wobbly teeth
If any of your teeth have started to wobble or move around, then there is a chance that you have periodontitis, the stage of gum disease where the bone is infected. You should contact your dentist straight away if this happens. There are treatments that may save the tooth from falling out, but the longer you leave it, the less likely it is that the procedure will be successful.
Receding gums
This is an issue that can affect older people generally, but whatever your age, if you notice that your teeth are starting to look longer due to your gums receding, there is a good chance that it is being caused by gum disease and you should have this investigated at our Canterbury dental practice.
Bad breath/halitosis
One of the more unpleasant symptoms is that of bad breath or halitosis. This isn’t a case of slightly ‘off’ smelling breath and can be really strong and overpowering. If you have noticed that people don’t like to stand too close to you when you speak to them, there is a good chance that this may be the issue. It is very hard to tell if your own breath smells so you may need to ask a trusted friend who will tell you the truth. Again, if it is a problem, don’t delay in seeking treatment.
Although gum disease is reasonably straightforward to avoid if you brush and floss well and have your regular ‘scale and polish’ treatment carried out six monthly by the hygienist, unfortunately not everyone does so. If you notice any of the signs discussed above, please don’t delay in contacting Bradley and Partners Dental & Implant Clinic on 01227 463529.