5 Early Signs of Gum Disease You Shouldn’t Ignore

Would it surprise you to learn that about 40 million Americans have no teeth, including 11% of people ages 65-74 and 20% of people 75 and older?

There are two main drivers of tooth loss: tooth decay and gum disease. We’re going to focus on the second. The reality is that more than 42% of adults in the United States aged 30 and older have some degree of periodontitis (gum disease), which places them at great risk for tooth loss and other complications.

Now, let’s bring this discussion in a more productive direction and talk about gum disease prevention. At Smile Bright Dental in Tampa and New Port Richey, Florida, our team has extensive experience helping patients stay one step ahead of gum disease, and we can do the same for you. 

The first step in preventing gum disease is knowing what to look for. Here are the early signs to pay attention to.

1. Slight inflammation around your gumline

One of the earliest signs of gum disease is mild inflammation where your gums meet your teeth. This early stage, called gingivitis, often shows up as slight redness and tenderness along your gumline. 

It happens when bacteria begin breaking down the protective seal your gums create around each tooth.

2. Bleeding gums

If you see blood when you spit out your toothpaste after brushing or flossing, this is another early sign of gum inflammation. This happens because inflamed gums are more fragile and bleed more easily.

3. Bad breath

When bacteria eat away at your gums, they release gases that can lead to bad breath.

4. Receding gums 

Gum disease is progressive, and if the bacteria get behind your gums, they can really do damage. The first sign is often receding gums.

5. Pain when chewing

Increasing tooth sensitivity or discomfort when chewing can be signs of progressing gum disease.

Protecting your teeth and gums

As we mentioned, gum disease is progressive, so when you first experience any of the symptoms above, know that they can progress very quickly if left untreated. If you want to avoid more painful (and expensive) problems down the road due to severe gum disease, taking action now makes excellent sense.

To start, we perform a professional cleaning to clear plaque away from your gums. This is often enough to turn back the clock on gingivitis.

If your gum disease has progressed beyond gingivitis, we perform a deep cleaning in which we get under your gums to clear away harmful bacterial deposits.

We also offer Perio Defend, a system that uses custom trays to deliver antibacterial medication directly to your gums.

As you can see, we offer a full suite of excellent periodontic treatments for both early‑ and later‑stage gum disease, so we’ve got you covered.

If you want to enjoy healthy, strong teeth and gums into the future, please schedule an appointment at one of our four conveniently located offices in the Tampa area. You can give us a call today or book an appointment online anytime.