According to recent findings, over 47% of adults have gum disease. As a prevalent oral health issue that often requires tooth extractions and dental implants to restore a smile, dentists work to educate every patient on early warning signs of this condition. Here’s a list of symptoms indicating it’s time to see your dentist for gum disease treatment. 

What Are the Signs You May Have Gum Disease?

1. Chronic Bad Breath

Gum disease is a result of plaque buildup on your teeth and along your gumline, which means there’s an influx of mouth bacteria present. This can result in a bad taste in your mouth or constant bad breath, even after you brush your teeth. 

2. Swollen, Red Gums

Bacteria and plaque along the gumline also lead to inflammation of the tissue. Over time, gums will appear redder in color and can swell due to infection. While red, inflamed gums may not be painful, if left unattended, they can cause gum recession, deep pockets between your gums and teeth, and eventually the need for extraction. 

3. Bleeding Gums When You Brush

Plaque attacks healthy tissue. As such, inflamed gum tissue that’s disrupted during the brushing process begins to bleed. This is a clear indicator that you may have early stages of gum disease known as gingivitis. While it may be tempting to ignore this issue or change your brushing style, visiting the dentist is ideal to eliminate plaque and restore your oral hygiene. 

4. Chewing Pain

When you have healthy teeth and gums, eating should be a pain-free and easy experience. Tooth pain when you chew may not mean you have a cavity. Instead, the culprit could be the condition of your gums as bacteria and plaque infect tissue and cause recession or separation of gums and teeth. With pockets separating these areas, food debris and more bacteria can reach the interior of your teeth, thus causing pain when in use. 

If you’re a local in New Town in St. Charles, MO, and looking for a dentist who is known for quality care in a warm and inviting environment, contact Elm Dental Care. To learn more about the wide array of services they provide, from gum disease treatment to tooth extractions and dental implants from their state-of-the-art facility, visit this dedicated practice online. Call (636) 916-4848 to schedule an appointment.