Gum disease is one of the most serious oral health issues that can have irreversible effects. Like all conditions, it’s crucial that it’s caught early, and there are telltale signs that you’re in the early stages. Below are the most common and what you can do to address them with your family dentist.

What Are the Symptoms of Gum Disease?

1. Swelling & Redness

Gum disease develops when plaque builds up below the gum line. Decay-causing bacteria will attack the gum tissue and eventually cause an infection. The most immediate sign is redness and swelling, which is a result of inflammation and irritation, which can also potentially lead to easily tender and bleeding tissue while brushing or flossing.

These are also symptoms of gingivitis, the precursor to gum disease. They can usually be resolved by improving brushing and flossing habits, so work with your family dentist.

2. Receding Gums

As bacteria damage gum tissue and attack your teeth’s roots, pockets will form between the gum tissue and teeth. You’ll notice that your gum line begins to recede, making your teeth look longer. This exposes parts of your teeth that don’t have a protective enamel layer, and it also weakens the hold your gums have on them.

3. Bad Breath

Bad breath occurs when bacteria break down proteins in your mouth and release sulfur compounds. This can contribute to bad breath—also called perio breath. These bacteria will also coat both your teeth and tongue, creating noticeably unpleasant smells that can make it uncomfortable for you to interact with others in public.

4. Loose Teeth

Your teeth will begin to loosen from their hold in the jaw bone in the later stages of gum disease. They can eventually fall out, which is why you need to seek treatment. A family dentist will perform a planing and scaling procedure by cleaning plaque from your teeth’s roots and then using antibiotics to resolve the gum infection. Next, they’ll smoothen the roots to help them reattach to the gum tissue.

Whether you’re dealing with gum disease or are just overdue for a dental exam, the team at Bethel Family Dentistry will help. Serving Bethel, OH, this practice offers a variety of general and cosmetic dentistry procedures, along with methods of preventative and restorative dental care. Call (513) 734-2029 to schedule a dental cleaning.