Gum Disease Symptoms and Risk Factors

Red, Tender, or Swollen Gums

Healthy gums should be firm and pale pink. If you notice that your gums are red, swollen, or tender, it may be a sign of gum disease.

• Redness: Healthy gums should be pink in color. If your gums appear red or have a reddish hue, it may indicate inflammation caused by gum disease. This redness is often a result of increased blood flow to the infected area.
• Tenderness: Healthy gums shouldn’t be tender or painful to touch. However, when you have periodontal disease, your gums can become sensitive and tender. You may experience discomfort while brushing, flossing, or eating certain foods.
• Swelling: Swollen gums are a common symptom of periodontal disease. When the gum tissues are infected, they can become puffy and swollen. This swelling can make your gums appear larger than usual and may even cause them to protrude between your teeth.

Bleeding Gums

Bleeding gums are one of the more common warning signs in the early stage of gum disease.

• Bleeding during brushing or flossing: Gums shouldn’t bleed when you brush or floss your teeth. If you notice blood on your toothbrush or dental floss, it could be a sign of gum disease. The bleeding is typically caused by the inflammation and infection in the gums.
• Spontaneous bleeding: In some cases, gums affected by gum disease may bleed spontaneously, even without any stimulation such as brushing or flossing. You may notice blood on your pillow in the morning or during normal activities like eating or talking.
• Persistent bleeding: Gum disease-related bleeding is often recurrent and doesn’t go away on its own. If your gums continue to bleed for an extended period, it’s essential to seek dental attention for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Receding Gums

Periodontal disease can cause the gums to pull away from the teeth, creating pockets where bacteria can accumulate.

• Gum line changes: As periodontal disease progresses, the gum tissue can start to recede or pull away from the teeth. This results in the exposure of the tooth roots, which can cause sensitivity and aesthetic concerns.
• Tooth sensitivity: When the gums recede, the underlying tooth roots become exposed. These roots aren’t protected by the enamel that covers the tooth crowns, making them sensitive to hot, cold, or sweet stimuli.
• Longer-looking teeth: As the gums recede, the tooth roots become more visible, making the teeth appear longer than before. This change in tooth length and the exposure of the roots can affect the aesthetics of your smile.
• Spaces or gaps between teeth: Receding gums can cause the teeth to appear spaced or have gaps between them. The loss of gum tissue can lead to a change in the alignment and positioning of the teeth.
• Loose Teeth: In severe cases of gum disease, the supporting structures of the teeth, including the gums and the underlying bone, can become weakened. This can result in loose teeth or tooth mobility issues.

Bad Breath

Bad breath, also known as halitosis, may also indicate the progression of periodontal disease.

• Bacterial buildup: Periodontal disease is caused by the accumulation of plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, on the teeth and gums. As the bacteria multiply and thrive in the mouth, they release volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) that have a distinctly unpleasant odor.
• Gum infection: The bacteria in the plaque can cause an infection in the gum tissues, leading to inflammation and damage. This infection can create an environment where the bacteria continue to produce foul-smelling gasses.
• Poor oral hygiene: Inadequate oral hygiene practices can worsen periodontal disease and contribute to bad breath. When plaque and food particles aren’t effectively removed from the mouth through brushing and flossing, they can decompose and provide a breeding ground for bacteria, leading to persistent bad breath.

Loose or shifting teeth

Periodontal disease can cause the bone that supports your teeth to deteriorate, which can lead to loose or shifting teeth.

• Gum detachment: As periodontal disease worsens, the infection and inflammation can cause the gum tissue to detach from the teeth. This leads to the formation of pockets or spaces between the gums and the teeth. The loss of gum attachment weakens the support for the teeth, making them feel loose or mobile.
• Bone loss: The bacteria responsible for gum disease can also attack and destroy the underlying bone that supports the teeth. This condition is known as periodontitis. As the bone is gradually lost, there’s less support for the teeth, which can result in them becoming loose or shifting position.
• Changes in bite alignment: As the teeth lose support and become mobile, they can start to shift or move out of their normal alignment. This can affect your bite, causing changes in how your upper and lower teeth fit together when you close your mouth.
• Tooth loss: If periodontal disease is left untreated and progresses to an advanced stage, the teeth may become so loose that they eventually fall out or require extraction due to the lack of support from the surrounding structures.

Changes in Your Bite

Gum disease can also cause changes in your bite, which is the way your teeth come together when you close your mouth.

• Tooth mobility: As the disease progresses, it can cause the supporting structures of the teeth, including the gums and bone, to weaken. This can result in tooth mobility or looseness.
• Shifting teeth: Periodontal disease can cause the gums to recede and the bone to deteriorate, leading to changes in tooth positioning. As the teeth shift or move, the way your upper and lower teeth come together when you bite or chew can be altered. This can result in an irregular or misaligned bite.
• Malocclusion: Malocclusion refers to an improper alignment of the teeth when the jaws are closed. It can occur due to changes in tooth positioning caused by periodontal disease. As the teeth shift or become mobile, your bite may not fit together correctly, leading to malocclusion.
• Tooth wear: Periodontal disease can lead to changes in the way your teeth come into contact with each other during biting and chewing. This can cause uneven wear on the teeth, with some teeth experiencing excessive pressure or grinding against each other. Over time, this can lead to tooth wear, chips, or fractures, further contributing to changes in your bite.

Pus Between the Teeth and Gums

In advanced periodontal disease cases, you may notice pus between the teeth and gums.

• Gum abscess formation: When periodontal disease progresses, pockets or spaces can form between the teeth and gums due to the detachment of the gum tissue. These pockets create a favorable environment for bacteria to thrive and multiply. If the infection becomes localized and trapped within these pockets, it can lead to the formation of a gum abscess.
• Accumulation of pus: A gum abscess is characterized by the accumulation of pus, which is a thick, yellowish, or whitish fluid that consists of dead bacteria, inflammatory cells, and tissue debris. Pus is a sign of an active infection, and its presence indicates the presence of bacteria and the body’s immune response to combat the infection.
• Foul taste or odor: Pus from a gum abscess can sometimes lead to a foul taste or odor in the mouth. This unpleasant taste or smell is a result of the bacteria and their byproducts present in the pus.

Can gum disease be reversed?

In its early stages, gum disease can often be reversed through improved oral hygiene, such as brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing regularly, along with professional dental cleanings. However, if the disease has progressed to advanced stages, it may require more extensive treatment.

How can dentists treat gum disease?

The treatment for gum disease will depend on the severity of the condition. In mild cases, improved oral hygiene and regular dental cleanings may be enough. However, more advanced cases may require scaling and root planing (a deep cleaning procedure), antibiotics, or even surgery.