When most people think of gum disease, they tend to assume that they are not at risk of developing it. In reality, gum disease is one of the most common oral problems that afflicts individuals. The reason for this is that some people may ignore the symptoms of early-onset gingivitis, assuming that whatever oral problem they are facing will clear away eventually. As a result, the gingivitis is left unchecked and eventually transforms into periodontitis, which is a severe oral problem that may even necessitate surgery. Therefore, it is essential for everybody to know how to spot the symptoms and to then seek professional dental attention. So what are the telltale signs of worsening gum disease?
Your gums have started bleeding
A misconception some people may have about bleeding gums is that this condition will manifest with blood gushing from their gums whenever they brush their teeth. In reality, bleeding gums can be as subtle as a few droplets of blood once in a while. The severity of the bleeding depends on how severe the gingivitis is. If your gums are not adversely affected, chances are you will not have to contend with seeing blood on a daily basis. However, if the bacteria has caused extensive deterioration of your gums, you will witness a higher volume of blood when engaging in oral care. As a rule of thumb, any signs of blood from your gums should be checked out by a dentist to be on the safe side.
Your gums have started receding
Another symptom of worsening gum disease that is easy to miss is receding gums. When your gums start to recede, it happens slowly and gradually. As such, it could be difficult to tell from the onset that it is occurring. However, if you begin to suspect that your teeth suddenly appear longer than they used to be, chances are you have developed receding gums. The recession occurs due to the bacteria eating away at your gum tissue. The more the bacteria multiplies, the faster the gum recession will happen. If left untreated, gum recession can lead to eventual tooth loss as the roots of your teeth will not have adequate gum tissue securing them in place.
You suffer from chronic halitosis
Bad breath is a common inconvenience, especially if you prefer highly potent foods such as garlic and onions. Nevertheless, regular bad breath can easily be eliminated by brushing your teeth. If you suffer from chronic halitosis, it implies that your mouth is harbouring much more bacteria than normal. It would be advisable to seek dental attention.
