Gum Disease Symptoms
Oral health has always been a major part in having a good health, and if you don’t pay much attention to it – you may develop following gum disease symptoms:
1.Persistent Bad Breath
The most common cause of having a bad breath is poor oral hygiene. Bacteria that build up on your teeth and especially between them, can produce unpleasant-smelling gases.
Don’t forget these bacteria are also responsible for developing gum disease and tooth decay, and if you don’t floss and brush your teeth regularly, you’ll have not only a bad breath, but gum disease as well.
Same thing happens with your tongue and gums, as bacteria can also live on their rough surface.
Brushing your teeth and cleaning your tongue can help to control bad breath issues as well.
2.Red or Swollen Gums
Inflammation in the form of red, swollen or tender gums could be a sign of periodontal disease also known as a gum disease.
Cause
Such discomfort is caused by bacteria that accumulates around the teeth causing the gum problem when it is not mechanically removed by flossing or brushing.
Inflammation usually occur in form of redness, swelling and a tendency to bleed during tooth brushing. Although it is apart of the body’s defence system, this inflammatory response can eventually cause serious damage.
Destruction
The disease destroy the gums and ligaments surrounding the teeth, and if left unchecked, the inflammation can spread down below the gums along the roots of the teeth, causing destruction of the periodontal ligament and the supporting bone.
If left untreated, you may lose your teeth.
Causes of Periodontitis
In all cases, periodontitis is caused by the build-up of bacteria in the form of dental plaque.
If the soft bacterial plaque is not removed by brushing, minerals which are deposited over time, become a hard deposit on the tooth called – tartar.
The presence of tartar encourages growth of the bacterial plaque towards the tooth roots, and as the inflammation progresses goes deeper, the attachment of the gum to the root is disrupted, and a gap or periodontal pocket is formed between them.
This pocket is an ideal place for harmful bacteria to colonize and multiply. Being there, bacteria release toxins as products of their metabolism, which further trigger the bodily defence mechanisms.
Brushing teeth more often and seeing a dentist for regular check-ups, can save you from further gum disease symptoms or development.
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3.Bleeding Gums
If you’ve started to experience bleeding when brushing teeth – yes, it is definitely one of the gum disease symptoms.
Gingivitis.
It is a non-destructive type of periodontal disease, but if you leave it untreated, gingivitis can progress to Periodontitis and can eventually lead to loss of teeth.
Causes of Gingivitis
The most common cause of gingivitis is the accumulation of bacterial plaque between and around the teeth.
The plaque triggers an immune response, which in turn can eventually lead to the destruction of the gum tissue. It may also lead to further complications including the loss of teeth.
Other causes include:
- puberty
- menopause
- cancer
- diabetes
- HIV
- drugs
- smoking
- age
- poor diet
- family history
4.Gum Recession
What is gum recession?
Gum recession is the process in which the margin of the gum tissue surrounding the teeth wears away or pulls back, exposing more of the tooth, or the tooth’s root.
When it occurs, tooth pockets are forming between the teeth and gum line, making it easy for disease-causing bacteria to build up.
If left untreated, the supporting tissue and bone structures of the teeth can be severely damaged, and may ultimately result in tooth loss.
How To Treat Gum Recession?
Mild gum recession can be treated by deep cleaning the affected area.
During this process of tooth scaling and root planing, plaque and tartar are carefully removed, and the exposed root area is smoothed to make it more difficult for bacteria to attach itself.
It is not excluded that antibiotics may also be given to get rid of any remaining bacteria.
In case your gum recession cannot be treated because of excess loss of bone and teeth pockets are too deep, you may need to have a gum surgery to repair the damage.
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5.Sensitive Teeth
They are also part of gum disease symptoms.
When you have sensitive teeth, brushing, flossing, eating and drinking can cause a sharp, temporary pain in your teeth.
Sensitive teeth often come as a result of worn tooth enamel or exposed tooth roots. Sometimes, such tooth discomfort is caused by other factors, such as:
- cavity
- cracked or chipped tooth
- a recently placed filling
- a side effect from bleaching teeth
If you’re concerned about sensitive teeth, start by visiting your dentist. Depending on the circumstances, your dentist might recommend:
- Desensitizing toothpaste
- Fluoride
- Desensitizing or bonding
- Surgical gum graft
- Root canal
What to do to prevent teeth sensitivity
- Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste
- Floss daily
- Avoid vigorous or harsh scrubbing
- Avoid highly abrasive toothpaste
- Avoid excessive brushing and flossing
- If you grind your teeth use mouth guard recommended by dentist
- Limit acidic foods and drinks(carbonated drinks, citrus fruits, wine)
- Brush your teeth immediately after eating or drinking acidic substances
6.Painful Chewing
The source of tooth pain may be also a dental decay. Regardless the cause, if you have ongoing pain – it’s time to see a dentist for a treatment.
Possible causes include:
Sensitivity to hot and cold foods
It may be caused by a minor decay, a loose filling or by minimal gum recession that exposes small areas of the root surface.
What to do: Try using toothpaste that is made especially for sensitive teeth, and brush with a soft or extra-soft brush, using an up-and-down motion, never side-to-side, which wears away exposed root surfaces.
If the issue persists, it’s time to see a dental health practitioner.
Sensitivity to hot and cold foods after dental treatment
It’s possible that recent dental work has inflamed the pulp inside the tooth, causing this temporary symptom.
What to do: Wait 2-4 weeks and if the pain still persists or worsens, have your dentist check you.
Sharp pain when biting down on food
This symptom may be caused by decay, a loose filling or a crack in the tooth. It’s also possible there is damage to the pulp tissue inside the tooth.
What to do: A dentist have to evaluate if there is pulp tissue damage.
They perform pulp-related procedures, such as root canals, which involve cleaning out the damaged pulp and filling and sealing the remaining space.
Lingering pain for more than 30 seconds after eating hot or cold foods
It’s likely that the pulp has been irreversibly damaged by deep decay or physical trauma.
What to do: See your dentist as soon as possible to save the tooth with root canal treatment.
Severe pain and pressure, increased sensitivity
A tooth may be abscessed, causing an infection in the surrounding tissue and bone.
What to do: See your dentist and have a treatment to relieve the pain and save the tooth.
Dull ache and pressure in upper teeth and jaw
Grinding of teeth, known as bruxism, can cause this type of pain. The pain of a sinus headache may also be felt in the face and teeth.
What to do: For bruxism, consult your dentist. For a sinus headache, try over-the-counter medication. If the pain is severe and chronic, see your physician for evaluation.
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7. Smoking
Unfortunately, smoking can lead to develop gum disease symptoms, which you can prevent ONLY if you quit smoking.
Studies have shown that smokers have more tartar on their teeth than non-smokers.
Additionally, tobacco products damage teeth and gums, providing an open door for infection-causing bacteria that can cause severe gum disease.
Unfortunately, smokers have more severe bone loss and more deep pockets between their teeth and gums than nonsmokers, and they need to see dentists more often.
What does this mean if you are a smoker?
- The more cigarettes you smoke, the greater is your risk for gum disease
- You have twice the risk for gum disease compared with a nonsmoker
- The longer you smoke, the greater is your risk for gum disease
- Treatments for gum disease may not work as well for people who smoke
How To Prevent Gum Disease Symptoms
All gum diseases can be prevent on time if you have good oral hygiene, if you examine your teeth twice a year, and if you follow all directions coming from your dentist.
Other things you can do are:
- Use toothpaste for gum disease
- Brush teeth right
- Brush at the gumline
- Have two toothbrushes
- Keep them germ-free
- Choose your toothbrush carefully
- Use a gum stimulator
- Consider Vitamin C and D
- Drink green tea
- Use the best mouthwash for gum disease
- Examine your lifestyle
- Scrape your tongue
- Use occasionally solution of water and baking soda
- Try aloe gel
- Cut your vice
Yes, you can prevent gum disease symptoms if you do most of the things recommended as above.
Keep your mouth clean and always in check, and try to switch having much healthier habits than you already do, and your teeth will be just fine.
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