TL;DR
- Gum disease is an infection and inflammation of the gums and supporting tissues.
- Symptoms include swollen, red or purple gums, bleeding when brushing or flossing, bad breath, gum recession, loose teeth, pus formation and bite changes.
- Stages of gum disease:
- Gingivitis is early and reversible, with mild swelling and bleeding.
- Mild periodontitis develops pockets and bone damage.
- Moderate periodontitis causes more bone loss, pus, pain and bad breath.
- Advanced periodontitis leads to severe damage, gum recession and tooth loss.
- Common causes include plaque, smoking, medical conditions like diabetes, pregnancy hormones and ageing.
- Treatment options include:
- Early Treatment: Brushing, flossing, rinsing and cleanings
- Moderate Treatment: Scaling, surgery and LANAP laser
- Severe Treatment: Grafts, regeneration, PRF and PRP therapy
What is Gum Disease?
Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is an infection and inflammation of the tissues that hold your teeth in place. While poor oral hygiene is a common cause, some people may develop gum problems even with regular brushing and flossing.
It is more common than you might think. Nearly half of adults in the United States have some form of gum disease, and it is a leading cause of tooth loss. Early gum disease symptoms can be subtle, such as slight redness or bleeding when you brush, so paying attention to your gums is important.
What are Some Symptoms of Gum Disease?
At RiverRock Dental, we often see patients experiencing a range of signs that may indicate gum disease and require timely attention. These include:
- Swollen or puffy gums
- Dark red or slightly purple gums
- Bleeding while brushing or flossing
- Bad breath (halitosis)
- Gums feel tender to the touch
- Gum recession (where the gums pull back and teeth appear longer)
- Loose or shifting teeth
- Pus forming between the gums and teeth
- Pain while chewing
- Changes in your bite or the way your teeth fit together
How Gum Disease Progresses: Key Stages to Know
There are four stages of gum disease:
Stage 1: Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease. It starts with slightly swollen and red gums that may bleed when you floss and brush. These are common gum disease symptoms, and the good news is that gingivitis is mild and can be easily reversed with the right treatment.
Stage 2: Mild Periodontitis
If your gingivitis isn’t treated, the bacteria spreads beneath your gums and starts affecting your bone. At this stage, you might develop pockets, which is when your gums pull away from your teeth and create a space where plaque and bacteria like to settle.
Stage 3: Moderate Periodontitis
Gum disease signs and symptoms begin to advance here. The bacteria start attacking your bone and the surrounding tissue supporting your teeth. You might start to notice signs of infection, like pus, bad breath and pain.
Stage 4: Advanced Periodontitis
In the final stage of gum disease, the loss of bone and supporting tissue becomes more severe. You may notice loose teeth, gums that have receded from their original position, and discomfort while chewing. If left untreated, this stage can lead to tooth loss.
What Actually Causes Gum Disease?
One of the major reasons is plaque buildup, which happens because of poor oral hygiene. Plaque is a sticky coating that lines your gums, causing irritation and inflammation.
There are other factors that can increase your chances of getting gum disease:
- Smoking: More than 60% of people who smoke have some type of gum disease, that is because smoking weakens your body’s immune system, which makes it difficult to fight any infection. It also makes it hard for your gums to heal once gum damage starts.
- Medical Conditions: Certain conditions, like diabetes, can increase the risk. High blood sugar levels make gums more susceptible to infections.
- Pregnancy: Expecting mothers are more prone to gum disease. Pregnancy causes an increase in estrogen and progesterone levels, which can make gums more sensitive and cause inflammation.
- Age: Gum disease is more common in older adults, particularly those over 65. This can be due to many factors like inability to maintain oral hygiene, years of plaque buildup, receding gums and weakened tooth structure.
How to Treat Gum Disease?
Treatment of gum diseases depends on the stage you are at:
1. Early Stage (Gingivitis)
At its earliest stages, gentle at-home care along with professional help can manage gum disease effectively, like brushing your teeth with care two times a day, flossing and anti-bacterial mouthwash rinses. These, along with regular checkups and routine dental cleanings, can help reverse gingivitis.
2. Mild to Moderate (Periodontitis)
At this stage, you might need specialized gum procedures like scaling and root planing, where your teeth are cleaned below the gumline and the roots are smoothed out, allowing your gums to reattach better.
If deep pockets have formed, pocket reduction surgery is another option. Your gums are lifted back to their original position and stitched in place.
LANAP (Laser-assisted new attachment procedure) is a less invasive alternative to surgery. A laser is used to target the diseased gum, and the healthy tissue is kept intact.
3. Advanced Gum Disease (Advanced Periodontitis)
In severe cases of bone and gum loss, your periodontist will use grafts to replace the lost tissue and bone. Additionally, guided tissue regeneration (GTR) is used in combination with a bone graft. In GTR, an artificial membrane is placed between the gums and the new bone graft, which allows space for the bone graft to grow.
Lastly, to boost your healing, a periodontist can suggest platelet-rich therapies like platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP), which are derived from your own blood. They place PRF or PRP at the surgery site to reduce post-surgery pain and improve healing and recovery.
Conclusion: Don’t Wait for Gum Disease Symptoms to Get Worse
Healthy gums make a strong foundation for a healthy smile. By understanding the common gum disease symptoms, you can catch the disease early and get the necessary treatment.
At RiverRock Dental, we believe that you should take care of your gums nearly as much as you care for your teeth. Our team of experts focuses on delivering gentle and specialized gum treatment to all our patients with utmost comfort and care.
Noticed your gums bleeding or swollen? It may be time to make an appointment with a dentist in shakopee. You can reach RiverRock Dental at (952) 445-5556 or visit our clinic at 403, 1st Ave East, Shakopee, MN 55379.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the common symptoms of gum disease?
Some of the most common signs are swollen and bleeding gums. Your gums might also look dark red or purplish in color. These, along with bad breath and tenderness when you touch your gums, are clear signs that you have gum disease.
When should I see a dentist?
If your gums have been bleeding continuously for a few days or if they hurt or are swollen, you need to schedule an appointment with your dentist.
Can you have gum disease without obvious symptoms?
Yes, in the early stages, gum disease is silent and it doesn’t show any signs, and you may not notice them until it’s too late. It becomes easier to spot gum issues like swelling, gaps in your teeth and gums when you see your dentist regularly.
Can gum disease cause flu-like symptoms?
When gum disease gets severe, it can affect your whole body. The infection can make you feel like you have the flu; you can feel tired, have a fever or just not feel well in general. This happens very rarely in cases where the bacteria spread and trigger a flu-like response in your body.
