While gum disease is awful when left untreated, it’s rather hard to detect at first. The condition’s first phase – gingivitis – is pretty subtle and doesn’t show many glaring symptoms. With that said, you should watch out for this form’s signs; you could get a severe infection otherwise. Your Midlothian dentist is here to make sure that happens. So, please keep reading to learn about four common warning signs of gingivitis.
Inflamed Gum Tissues
If your gums feel a tad irritated or achy, don’t ignore those sensations. The tissues may be inflamed – a sign that they’re infected.
In fact, inflammation is the very core of gingivitis. It’s basically your body’s way of staving off an infection that’d destroy your gums over time. As for how to tell whether your gum tissues are inflamed, check them for redness, swelling, and sensitivity. Such traits are key hallmarks that only ever occur due to gums’ inflammation.
Bleeding Gums
Aside from inflammation or irritation, monitor your gums for any bleeding. Bloody gum tissue typically points to a case of gingivitis.
The bleeding has to do with the bacteria harming your gums. When they harm your gum tissues, your body responds by sending more blood to your mouth. (This increase helps you fight the infection) Unfortunately, the heightened presence of blood can cause your gums to bleed when you brush them.
Gum Recession
When your smile looks “long in the tooth,” odds are good that you have gingivitis. Gum recession happens to be a major warning sign.
You see, gingivitis tends to slowly erode your gum tissue. This process makes your gums recede and shorten over time, causing your teeth to look longer than usual. Prolonged recession can even expose your tooth roots after a while and prompt tooth sensitivity.
Persistent Bad Breath
While occasional bad breath is normal, you should be cautious if your mouth’s odor is persistent. The latter is a potential indicator of gingivitis.
It comes down to the behavior of gum disease bacteria. When these microbes feed on the proteins in your teeth and gums, they release varying amounts of smelly sulfur gas. The buildup of this substance will give you a severe case of chronic bad breath, especially when you exhale strongly.
Now that you know some warning signs of gingivitis, you can better protect your gums from infections. Still, don’t hesitate to consult your dentist if you want to learn about other symptoms.
About the Practice
Marvel Dental & Orthodontics is based in Midlothian, TX. Led by the great Dr. Jay Oza, our practice offers truly wide-ranging help for ailing smiles. You can count on us for preventive, cosmetic, and even restorative dentistry, as well as treatments for dental emergencies. We can even treat and reverse gingivitis with top-tier therapies! For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (682)-772-3072.