When plaque is allowed to collect on your gums, it can progress into gum disease, damaging the tissues in your mouth. Gum disease is a fairly common dental ailment, with an estimated 64.7 million adults in the United States—almost half of the nation’s population—experiencing some form of periodontitis. The following are some of the causes and symptoms of gum disease, as explained by a dentist.

What Causes Gum Disease?

Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is caused by the accumulation of plaque on your teeth, which hardens over time and turns into tartar. Both plaque and tartar are composed of harmful bacteria, and they irritate your gums. Not brushing or flossing regularly enough to remove the plaque increases your risk of being diagnosed with gum disease, as do smoking, diabetes, and certain medications. Your dentist will let you know if you’re showing early symptoms of gum disease and advise you on how to prevent it from worsening.

What Are the Symptoms?

Since it’s an infection of the gum tissues around and supporting your teeth, gum disease has several symptoms that alert you to its presence. The first signs of gum disease that you’ll likely notice are bleeding gums when you’re brushing and a lingering bad taste in your mouth. Your gums bleed due to the swelling and inflammation caused by the irritating tartar, and the bacteria contributes to the bad smell in your mouth. Other common symptoms include:

• Inflamed, red gums
• Tender or painful gums
• Gums that are pulling away or receding from your teeth
• Chronic bad breath that won’t go away
• Shifting or loosening of your permanent teeth

If you notice some or all of these symptoms, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. A reliable dental practice will be able to explain your treatment options, recommend practices and products to help control the symptoms, and educate you on how to keep gum disease from worsening.

Backed by 20 years of expert experience, Elizabeth A. Loseke, D.D.S. P.C. provides all of Kearney, NE, with comprehensive and quality dental care. She is the leading family dentist in Kearney, working with patients in all stages of life. Read about their preventative care services on their website, or schedule your appointment by calling (308) 234-4564.