Gum disease is a serious issue and not one you want to take lightly. Luckily, it’s reversible if you catch it in the early stages. If you wait too long, more serious measures may need to be taken. If you notice the symptoms of gum disease, it’s important to visit your dentist and get it taken care of. Here are the stages of gum disease and what you should be looking for:
Healthy Gums
First, let’s establish a baseline. It’s good to know what healthy gums look like so you can quickly spot when something is wrong. Healthy gums will be firm, pink, and fit snugly around your teeth. They also won’t be receded and will go fairly high up on your teeth. If you have healthy gums, just keep up with your routine of brushing and flossing and they should stay that way. Oh, and don’t forget to visit your dentist for your regular cleanings!
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease and is very treatable. In fact, you can often treat it yourself at home with good habits. Here are some symptoms to watch out for:
- Puffy or swollen gums
- Red or inflamed gums
- Bleeding when brushing or flossing
- Bad breath.
If you notice these symptoms, try using an antiseptic mouthwash in addition to your brushing and flossing routine. If they don’t get better within a couple of weeks, give your dentist a call.
Periodontal Disease
The next stage of gum disease is periodontal disease. When gum disease advances to this stage, it starts to affect the bones. Periodontal disease is serious and although it can range from mild to severe, you want to get treatment as soon as possible. When it gets to the advanced stages, irreversible bone and tissue loss can occur. Here are some symptoms to watch out for:
- Receding gum line
- Pockets forming between teeth and gums
- Loose teeth
- Changes in bite
- Pain when chewing or biting.
Unfortunately, some of these symptoms aren’t easy to detect. That’s why it’s so important to visit your dentist for cleanings on a regular basis. They’ll be able to detect the early stages of gum disease and recommend the right treatment to reverse the damage.
Come to Parkcrest Dental Group
If you notice signs of gum disease, you should visit your dentist as soon as possible to make sure nothing more serious is going on. You should also make sure to get your cleanings biannually to prevent gum disease in the first place! Contact us today to schedule your next cleaning with your dentist in Springfield, MO.
