The Gum Disease Symptoms You Should Watch for

September 5, 2018

While gum disease may just seem like a nuisance in the beginning, if left untreated it can lead to serious problems with your oral health. Because September is National Gum Care Month, we believe it’s an ideal time to educate our patients about the dangers of gum disease.

Gum disease begins as gingivitis in its early stages but will develop into a condition called periodontitis. Tooth loss, gum recession and infection are common problems that occur without treatment. At Nashville Periodontal Group, we are passionate about oral health, and gum health ties directly into that.

Healthy and Unhealthy Gums

When gum tissue is healthy, it fits snug around the teeth, is firm and pale pink in color. You may be developing gum disease if any of the following symptoms are noticeable:

• Dusky red, bright red or purplish gums
• Gums that are tender to the touch
• Puffy, swollen gums
• New, noticeable space between your teeth
• Pain when chewing
• Changes in your bite and how your teeth fit together
• Pus between the gums and teeth
• Receding gums that pull away from the teeth and make them appear longer
• Gums that bleed

Once your condition has progressed to periodontitis, it may fall into one of three categories. Chronic periodontitis is common and affects both children and adults. It is characterized by deterioration of the gums caused by plaque buildup that destroys the bone and gums and may lead to missing teeth.

Aggressive periodontitis starts in early adulthood or childhood and is less common. This condition seems to run in families and causes tooth loss and rapid progression of bone loss if left untreated.

Death of tooth ligaments, gum tissue and supporting bone is known as necrotizing periodontal disease and is often caused by an insufficient blood supply that causes infection. This condition is most common in those with a suppressed immune system.

Contact Us Today

If you fear you are developing gum disease or just want to make sure that your gums are healthy, schedule an appointment in Nashville, TN with us today. Dr. Akin is a qualified periodontist that is extremely successful in treating periodontitis.

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