Five Signs of Gum Disease You Should Never Ignore

In the hustle and bustle of daily life, self-care often ends up on the backburner. Unfortunately, ignoring problems when they are small can lead to much more significant issues later, and your dental health is one perfect example.

How long has it been since your last dental cleaning? Most people probably can remember or overestimate how frequently they visit the dentist, just like many also exaggerate how often they floss. Adults should see their dentist twice yearly for professional cleanings and more often if they have a history of gum disease.

Early-stage gum disease treatment in Toronto typically involves scaling and root planning to remove calcified plaque. It is a non-invasive process that can be completed in a single visit. Treatment for later-stage gum disease can be much more involved, sometimes even requiring surgical measures to rectify.

People Also Ask – Some Gum Disease FAQs

But what are the signs of gum disease, and how can you avoid costly and invasive treatment?

Here are five early signs of gum disease to watch for.

1. Bleeding Gums

People often assume that bleeding gums result from brushing or flossing too vigorously. The truth is that unless you are being extremely rough with your gums, bleeding while cleaning your teeth is more likely the result of gum disease.

Bleeding gums are often the first sign of early-stage gum disease. If you’re noticing pink in the sink after brushing, you should visit your dental care professional as soon as possible.

2. Swollen Gums

Swollen gums often accompany bleeding gums as the first signs of early-stage gum disease. Swollen gums typically occur due to bacterial build-up below the surface of the gum line. These bacteria can lead to several potentially serious health conditions, including more advanced stages of gum disease that require more invasive gum disease treatment.

People Also Ask – Treatment Options For Gum Disease

3. Receding Gums

Gum disease doesn’t take long to progress from mild to moderate. The same bacteria that cause gums to bleed and swell can also cause gums to begin receding. And once gums start receding, the damage is permanent unless you undertake restorative gum treatments.

4. Loose Teeth

Your gums provide essential support to your teeth. If gum disease is allowed to progress far enough, you may begin to notice your teeth moving and experience moderate to extreme tooth sensitivity, depending on how much of the tooth has become exposed.

People Also Ask – How to Reduce, and Get Rid of, Early Gum Disease

Shifting teeth are a sign that your gum disease has reached moderate to advanced stages of gum disease. At this point, professional help is required as soon as possible to try and prevent tooth loss. Your dentist will begin by undertaking a thorough clean and recommend a gum disease treatment plan to reduce gum pockets and securely restore gum tissue to the teeth.

5. Gum Abscesses

Gum abscesses are severe infections of the gum tissue. Not only is this damaging to your teeth and gum, but the infection can spread through the bloodstream and begin affecting other parts of your body. Gum abscesses require immediate medical attention to clean out the infection and antibiotics to treat the disease.

Once the infection has been addressed, your dental professional will assess the health of your teeth, gums, and supporting bone structure and recommend gum disease treatment options.

Whether you have been avoiding a dental checkup due to an overly busy schedule or the embarrassment that you’ve let your dental health deteriorate, gum disease treatment is a hefty price to pay for putting off regular dental checks. It’s always best to take care of treating minor issues before they become major problems.