How Do You Know If You Have Gum Disease?

Gum diseases, or periodontal diseases, are among the most common types of diseases in the U.S. One of the latest studies by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveals that half of the U.S. citizens above the age of 30 suffer from some kind of periodontal disease. These diseases may include severe infections that can ultimately damage the bone and tissues. However, such severe conditions are mostly caused due to no or improper treatment of smaller periodontal diseases.

The reason smaller problems transform into severe conditions is because most patients do not realize that they have a gum disease during the initial stages. If you wish to avoid such a situation, you must first educate yourself regarding early symptoms of gum diseases. So, before you know whether you have a gum disease or not, let’s find out about some of the most common type of gum diseases.

Types Of Gum Diseases You Can Have

There are two main types of gum diseases you might be suffering from.

Periodontitis – Periodontitis is a severe gum condition which causes the inner layer of the gum to pull away from the teeth. This creates empty spaces that accumulate debris and bacteria. After some time, the accumulated debris and pieces of food start to decay and become infected due to bacteria. Ultimately, the bone and tissues are no longer strong enough to hold the teeth in place. This is the reason periodontitis is one of the main reasons behind teeth loss.

Gingivitis – Gingivitis is relatively less severe than periodontitis. In fact, it can be considered the initial stage of periodontitis. However, gingivitis does not always turn into periodontitis in every case. Gingivitis starts with inflammation in the gums. It is usually caused by plaque that itself is caused by an improper hygiene routine. People who do not brush their teeth regularly or properly have more chances of developing gingivitis.

Common Symptoms

Now that you know about the common gum problems, it is time to learn about signs and symptoms that indicate the problem. One very important fact to remember is that gum disease does not occur out of nowhere. It is a process that slowly spreads in the mouth and eventually takes a more severe form. So, the earliest symptoms you should look for include:

• Constant bad breath despite brushing and cleaning can be an indicator of a gum disease in its early stages
• If brushing causes bleeding in the gums, it might be due to a gum disease
• If your gums are persistently swollen or red, you might be developing gum disease
• If your gums have become tender, it may also be a sign of gum disease
• Receding gums are considered one definite sign of periodontal diseases
• You might experience a continually worsening gap between the teeth and the gums
• If your teeth have changed their position or become loose, it can be because of gums weakened by diseases

Gum diseases are, however, more prevalent in people suffering from chronic diseases such as diabetes. Such patients must take extra care and stay more alert in regard to oral and periodontal diseases.

In short, even the slightest issue or irregularity in your mouth can be due to a gum disease. A large majority of oral diseases start with gum-related issues. Gum diseases, however, are not only curable but also avoidable with proper awareness and education in this regard. With the ability to detect the problem in its early stages, you will be able to seek timely medical help and avoid severe problems later.