Knowledge is Power. Here are the signs of Gum Disease and the Necessary tools to Battle it!

While it may not be often talked about, gum disease is widespread. It is estimated that, among adults over the age of 35, 75 percent of Americans are affected. This is an unfortunate statistic due to the severe ramifications that gum disease can have on your general wellbeing. Gum disease has been linked to health concerns, including heart disease and respiratory illnesses. If you are in the Forked River, New Jersey area, and believe you need treatment for gum disease from a trusted area dentist, please reach out to Dr. Louann Van Liew and the friendly team at All About Smiles Dentistry.

If you are wondering how so many Americans are suffering from gum disease, the answer is quite simple – a significant portion of these people likely do not even realize they are suffering from it. Gum disease is sometimes referred to as a “silent disease” because, outside of some minor symptoms, many people do not realize they are suffering from it until it has progressed and begins to wreak havoc on one’s dental and overall health. So then, the question becomes, “how do you know if you have gum disease?”. Let us look at some symptoms that, should you experience them, are likely indicators that you are suffering from gum disease.

The Stages of Gum Disease

Before we get to specific symptoms of gum disease, it may help if you understand the primary stages of this disease. There are four stages of gum disease, which include:

• Gingivitis: The earliest stage of gum disease. At this stage, you can often reverse the effects simply by improving your at-home oral hygiene regimen.
• Early Periodontitis: At this point, gum disease has been allowed to progress and spread and could require a deep cleaning so that built-up tartar and calculus can be removed from below the gum line, at which point your gums will begin to heal.
• Periodontitis: By this stage, irreversible damage has begun to occur to the bone structure which holds your teeth in place. More aggressive treatment will be required at this point.
• Advanced Periodontitis: The final stage of gum disease. At this point, the bone has become seriously compromised or even destroyed, leading to teeth that are beginning to loosen or even fall out, and extractions may be necessary.

Warning Signs of Gum Disease

Now that you know some about the various stages of gum disease and the damage it can cause, let’s look at some of the warning signs of gum disease. Being able to detect them when you might be suffering from gum disease will allow you to become proactive by seeking treatment so that you never have to suffer through the later stages. Some warning signs of gum disease will include:

• Bleeding Gums: There is never a time when your gums should bleed. Not when you eat, drink, brush, or floss. If you notice that your gums are bleeding, especially when brushing or flossing, it is likely due to bacteria buildup along your gum line. This buildup of bacteria leads to the development of gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease. Although it may not cause discomfort, bleeding gums and gingivitis should be taken seriously. Make sure and schedule an appointment with your dentist so they can talk to you about changes you can make to reverse your gingivitis.
• Receding Gums: When you look in the mirror, do your teeth look longer? If you have ever noticed this, it could be due to your gums pulling away from your teeth. This is often caused by a bacterial infection that has begun to destroy your gum tissue and is a significant warning sign that you are suffering from some form of gum disease.
• Chronic Bad Breath: When you cannot find a solution for your bad breath, you are likely suffering from a condition called halitosis. This condition is caused by odor-inducing bacteria, which has increased and is reproducing in your diseased gums. You can eat all the breath mints in the world, yet this chronic bad breath will not disappear until you visit your local dentist and have your gum disease treated.

Understanding the different stages of gum disease and some common symptoms can go a long way in arming you with the knowledge you need to battle gum disease. Even armed with this knowledge, you must understand that you cannot combat gum disease alone. If you suspect you have gum disease, please reach out to your local dentist. If you are in the Forked River, New Jersey area, please set an appointment with Dr. Louann Van Liew and her team at All About Smiles Dentistry by calling (609) 891-3637 today!

Share this Article