It’s easy to spot the signs of gum disease, or periodontitis, but only if you know what you’re looking for. As your trusted dentist in Spring Lake, Dr. Edward Dooley wants to share some common warning signs of the condition that affects some 75 percent of Americans. Keep reading for more on gum disease from the team at Dooley Dental!
Five most common symptoms of gum disease
Gum disease is extremely common in adults over 35, but it’s also incredibly easy to treat when caught in its early stages. Learning the symptoms can help you know when something’s up with your gums — and then seek treatment from your Spring Lake dentist.
#1: Bleeding gums
You may not be a frequent brusher and flosser (which could be how you got into this problem in the first place), but if you’re spitting blood when you do clean your mouth, that’s your gums’ way of signaling there’s a problem. In fact, bleeding gums are the top warning sign of periodontitis.
#2: Swollen, tender gums
If your gums are red, puffy and sensitive, you need to listen to what your mouth is trying to tell you. These symptoms, which occur as a result of the gum infection, are some of the condition’s most common.
#3: Chronically bad breath
We all deal with it from time to time, but if you’re suffering from real, chronic bad breath at all times of the day, you may have gum disease or gingivitis. It makes sense — the bacteria that causes the infection isn’t pleasant, and we can all smell the result of its buildup.
#4: Receding gums
Gum recession is when the gums pull back away from the teeth, leaving you with pearly whites that are increasingly sensitive and which appear to be longer. Recession can cause increased tooth sensitivity, and is also a big symptom of gum disease.
#5: Loose teeth
If your gum disease has advanced to a late stage without treatment, you may experience loose teeth. The condition is one of the most common causes of tooth loss, so seek treatment for your periodontitis as soon as you realize there’s a problem.
Fortunately, Dr. Dooley is one of Spring Lake’s top dentists offering gum disease treatment. When he knows you’re suffering from the condition, he’ll get to work reversing it immediately with any one of his nonsurgical periodontal therapy options.
Don’t let your gum disease spiral out of control. Contact us to schedule your visit for treatment in Spring Lake! Request your appointment online today.
