Symptoms and Progress Signs of Gum Disease!

Introduction:

Gum diseases are the primary cause of tooth loss. Severe gum diseases can lead to severe infection and multiple tooth loss. The damage does not stop here; this severe infection can affect the whole body and overall health. According to research, having a severe form of gum disease raises your risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, heart attack, stroke, and pneumonia. The best way to detect gum disorders is by keeping an eye out for their early symptoms. If you want to know the progress signs and symptoms of gum disease, continue reading this article.

How Do Gum Disease Symptoms and Signs Change as the Condition Progress?

Signs of any disease are the observations noticed by the doctor during check-ups. For example, pulse, blood pressure, nail clubbing, etc. Whereas the symptoms are those observations experienced by the patient, like pain, nausea, tiredness, etc. The signs and symptoms of gum disease vary according to its stages. There are two stages of gum disease: gingivitis (mild form) and periodontitis (severe form). Gum diseases affect the gums, and part of the jaw bone called the alveolar bone that holds the tooth. The characteristic feature of disease-free gums and bones is the absence of Infections, smells, foul taste, bleeding, pus, or pain in gums. However, as the disease progresses from gingivitis to periodontitis, the signs and symptoms change.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Gingivitis?

Gingivitis is the initial stage of gum disease, and it is reversible, so if it is treated at the early stage, your gums will be healthy again. The signs and symptoms of gingivitis are listed below.

• Swelling in the gums that are limited to the margins of the gums.
• Unpleasant odor or bad breath.
• No bad taste in the mouth.
• Bleeding gums.
• Redness in gums.
• The tooth will be firm in its socket (no tooth mobility, no bone loss).
• Absence of pain and pus in the gums.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Periodontitis?

Periodontitis is a severe form of gum disease that is irreversible. It requires extensive treatment, which has longer recovery periods compared to gingivitis. If gingivitis is not treated at the right time, it can progress into periodontitis which causes more damage to the gum and bone. Periodontitis is categorized into early, moderate and advanced, and their signs and symptoms are listed below.

1. Signs and Symptoms of Early Periodontitis:

• Gums will be infected and inflamed (red and swollen) with the early loss of jawbone surrounding the teeth. Because of this bone loss, the gums start to detach from the tooth and form periodontal pockets.
• Significant odors.
• Pus buildup occurs between the gums and teeth and causes occasional unpleasant tastes.
• Bleeding from gums occurs, but the frequency is less.

2. Signs and Symptoms of Moderate Periodontitis: 

• Gums will be infected and inflamed, with moderate bone loss surrounding the teeth. Pockets become deep in this stage.
• Bad odors become highly noticeable.
• The frequency of bleeding from gums increases.
• Absence of pain.
• The tooth starts losing its bone support and shows initial mobility.
• The interdental papilla, a triangular-shaped gum between the teeth, begins to detach, and ultimately the papilla is lost.
• The gum line recession occurs, and the gum margins begin to recede, which causes the tooth’s roots to be exposed and make them look longer.

3. Signs and Symptoms of Advanced Periodontitis:

• The bad odor and the unpleasant taste become the worst.
• The frequency of bleeding from gums increased excessively, and gums began to bleed constantly.
• Progressive bone and gum loss occur. The periodontal pockets become deeper than before.
• The tooth becomes loose in its socket, and mobility increases. You may also require tooth extraction in some cases.
• Teeth position might change, and they become disfigured or crooked. This shift will cause modifications to how your teeth bite together when chewing.
• Diffuse pain in gums, which leads to toothache, especially while eating.
• The gum recession becomes severe.
• Pus drained from the inflamed gums.

What Is the Treatment for Gum Diseases?

The basic treatment of both gum disease forms, whether gingivitis or periodontitis, is scaling. However, only scaling does not help in periodontitis; additional treatments are required to achieve better gum conditions. The treatment options for gingivitis and periodontitis are discussed below.

1. Treatment for Gingivitis:

Gingivitis can be treated with scaling in a dental office and following in-home care measures such as brushing twice a day with the correct brushing technique, flossing at bedtime, and scaling after every six months.

2. Treatment for Periodontitis:

The treatment of periodontitis requires a proper treatment plan. It includes medicines, scaling, and root planing. The tooth with extreme mobility and a hopeless prognosis is extracted. The deep pockets are eliminated with the help of lasers or flap surgery. For bone loss, bone grafting is done. The dentist may decide to graft new tissue by introducing a membrane to encourage tissue growth in cases when a significant quantity of bone or gum tissue has been lost. Frequent follow-ups are the most important requirement after gum surgeries, along with the home care measures like brushing and flossing.

How to Prevent Gum Disease?

Bleeding gums are usually the first sign of gum disease. As soon as you spot blood from the gums while brushing, you should visit the dental office the very same day. Gum diseases can be easily prevented with early diagnosis and treatment. Additionally, avoiding smoking and alcohol, controlling chronic diseases like diabetes, eating more fruits and vegetables, brushing twice a day and flossing once a day, changing toothbrush every six months, and most importantly, getting a regular cleaning or scaling done every after six months will definitely prevent you from the gum disease.

Conclusion:

The signs and symptoms of gum disease get worse as the disease advances. The primary cause of gum disease is plaque, a thin layer of bacteria that hardens if not removed from the margins of gums. If you were told in your last dental visit that you had developed a pocket, it is wiser to start caring for the gums immediately. Bleeding gums, bad breath, loose teeth, food lodgment, and biting pain should not be overlooked.

Author Bio:

Dr. Sharda Patel runs Dental Oasis Family Dentistry in Pleasanton, CA. She is a graduate of the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. She is a member of the American Dental Association, California Dental Association and ADEA. She is thorough, caring and dedicated to patient satisfaction and comfort. You may find her reading a paperback on weekends.