Around 50% of American adults have gum disease. It’s a condition that can deteriorate quickly and lead to serious repercussions for your health.
A lack of good oral hygiene can impact your gums, which is why it’s so important to regularly brush your teeth and care for your mouth. Gum disease occurs when there is too much build up of plaque that contains bacteria. This bacteria can impact the health of your gums.
Here are 5 signs that you might have gum disease.
1. Red and Swollen Gums
The first thing you might notice if you have gum disease is that your gums are red and swollen. Inflammation is one of the first signs, along with bleeding gums when you brush or floss your teeth. This is known as gingivitis.
2. Bleeding Gums
Bleeding gums can become a serious issue if the bacteria in your mouth finds its way into the inflamed gums, and from there, into your bloodstream. This bacteria can develop into blood clots which is a dangerous condition that can cause a stroke or heart attack.
If the bacteria spreads from your mouth and into your bloodstream, then it can cause life-threatening infections, like sepsis, to vital organs in your body, such as the kidneys or the heart.
Bleeding gums often occur when brushing your teeth, but this can become worse and cause bleeding when you eat food, too. This can progress to frequent bleeding, even when you aren’t brushing or eating. When the color of blood changes to a dark red, then gingivitis has become more serious.
3. Bad Breath
Having bad breath is another sign that you might have gum disease. Our mouths contain bacteria that survive off plaque. When it builds up too much, plaque can begin to irritate the gums, and in doing so, produces an unpleasant smell.
4. Teeth Sensitivity
While you might think it’s only your gums that are affected by gum disease, your teeth can also suffer, too. You might notice sensitivity when drinking hot coffee or an ice-cold beverage.
This sensitivity is caused by gum recession (see the next sign). What happens is that the extremely inflamed gum tissue exposes the sensitive part of the tooth.
5. Receding Gums
Patients who have gum disease will often experience receding gums, which is when the gum tissue shrinks from around the tooth and reveals the root. Receding gums can lead to problems of potential tooth decay, and even tooth loss. Another issue associated with receding gums is bad breath. Dentists will measure gum reduction to keep an eye on the changes.
Get In Touch With Us
If you are suffering from any of these 5 signs, then you could have gum disease. Contact us today so we can help you care for your gums and teeth and prevent further problems.