When is the last time you thought about your gum health? As your gums act as anchors for your teeth, their health is one of the most important factors in a beautiful, healthy smile. Without proper care, however, gum disease can develop and put you at risk for infection, decay, and even lost teeth. To help you stay vigilant about the health of your gums, we’ve rounded up the following warning signs of gum disease. If you notice any of these, call our office right away and our team will walk you through your next steps.
Gum Recession
Gums begin to recede when they become irritated. While the problem may be as simple as brushing so vigorously that gums recede, gum recession can also occur when bacterial plaque gets below the gum line and causes gums to begin to recede.
Bleeding Gums After Brushing & Flossing
You can reduce your risk for developing gum disease by brushing your teeth twice each day for two minutes each time and flossing each day. However, if you notice that your gums bleed each time you brush or floss, this indicates the early stages of gum disease.
Changes in Gums
Healthy gums should be pink and firm. If you notice that your gums become bright red, swollen, or tender, this is a sign that gums are irritated and that you may be at risk for gum disease.
Bad Breath
While chronic bad breath can be indicative of a variety of dental conditions, it may be a result of bacterial plaque buildup below your gum line as a result of gum disease.
We recommend that our patients visit our office every six months for cleanings and exams from Dr. Dipesh Sitaram. This allows us to keep an eye on any potential warning signs for gum disease. Like many common dental ailments, gum disease can be treated and even reversed if detected early.
Please contact our office to ask us any questions or to schedule your next appointment.