47.2% of all American adults are affected by some form of gum disease, according to the CDC. And while most people have gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease, this is still a serious issue. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress into irreversible periodontitis.
Timely, expert periodontal care from a dentist like Dr. Douglas G. Hope is essential for protecting your oral health if you have gum disease. But how do you know if you need to see the dentist for gum disease treatment? Read on, and we’ll discuss the top 5 most common early signs of gum disease.
Bleeding When Brushing And Flossing
Flossing and brushing aggressively can cause bleeding, so try being a little bit more gentle when you brush and floss in the future.
If you continue to bleed regularly even after brushing and flossing consistently, this is likely an indicator of gingivitis. When the gums become infected, they are more sensitive and more likely to bleed when you brush and floss.
Gum Discoloration
Along with gum bleeding, look for signs of gum discoloration. In most people, the gums should be pink and should be relatively uniform in color. If your gums look purple, red, or darker than usual, this could be a sign of gum disease.
Puffy And Inflamed Gums
Gum discoloration is often accompanied by puffy, inflamed gums. The gums become inflamed as part of the immune response as your body releases immune cells to try to combat the bacteria that are infecting your gum tissue.
Your gums may also feel tender to the touch, or feel abnormally soft or “spongy.” These are all indicators of early stage gum disease.
Halitosis (Bad Breath)
If your breath constantly smells bad and it doesn’t seem like brushing, rinsing with mouthwash, or flossing is helping, this could be a sign of gum disease. The bacteria that build up in your mouth and infect your gums tend to smell quite bad, so if there is a lot of bacterial buildup in your mouth, this can cause halitosis (bad breath).
These bacteria can’t be removed with brushing and flossing alone, since they build up below your gum line where they can’t be reached with normal dental tools. That’s why at-home dental care alone is not usually enough to resolve this issue.
Gum Recession
If you notice that your teeth look longer, this may be due to gum recession. Gum recession happens when your infected gum tissue begins to pull back from your teeth, exposing more of the tooth structure. This can result in issues like teeth sensitivity, a higher risk of tooth decay, and unwanted changes to your appearance.
Get Periodontal Care In Escondido From Dr. Douglas Hope – Call Today!
If you recognize one or more of the above early signs of gum disease, you need to get help right away. The sooner you get treatment, the more likely it is that you can halt the progression of gum disease or eliminate it entirely. So don’t wait. Contact the office of Dr. Douglas G. Hope online or call us at (760) 480-8883 to schedule your appointment today.
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