Sore And Inflamed Gums? – You Could Have Gum Disease

There are a number of symptoms that can indicate the presence of periodontal disease

Most people associate dental problems with teeth issues such as decay or perhaps a broken tooth. Equally common though is poor gum health. This can be responsible for not only discomfort but also potentially tooth loss if the problem is ignored, as it sometimes is.

While issues with the teeth are often fairly obvious, such as a breakage or if you have a toothache, gum health issues can sometimes be less easy to detect, especially in its early stages. Below, our Ipswich dentists examine some of the possible symptoms that might indicate the presence of gum disease.

Soreness and discomfort

It is easy to ignore a little soreness of the gums as long as it isn’t too severe. We may think, for example, that we have scratched a gum and this is what is causing the problem. While this is possible, if the issue lasts for more than a few days it is more likely that poor gum health is the problem. The same applies if you find it uncomfortable when you eat. In both cases, you should have this checked out as soon as possible

Inflammation and redness

A more visual sign that you might have either gingivitis or periodontitis is if you can see that your gums appear to be swollen or have taken on a reddish colour and not the healthy pink colour that they should be. If your gums are red or inflamed, they are almost certainly infected.

Bleeding gums

This is one of the symptoms perhaps more familiar to patients of the Foxhall Dental Practice. Most of you will have seen TV adverts where blood is present when the actress spits after brushing their teeth. This is a likely sign of gum disease but by no means not the only one. Don’t ignore blood after brushing your teeth or you may be storing up bigger problems for the future.

Loose teeth

If your teeth start to wobble and become loose, there is definitely a problem, whether it is gum disease or something else. If it does prove to be gum disease then it is likely, if this occurs, that it is a more advanced stage known as periodontitis. You should see your dentist straight away if your teeth are loose in order to reduce the risk of losing them altogether.

Bad breath

This is one that your friends might notice a long time before you do. If they tell you that you have bad breath, you should investigate this further. It may have been something that you ate but this would not create long term bad breath. If the problem is persistent, your gums are likely to be the cause so make sure to see the dentist and hygienist.

Keeping your gums healthy

The above symptoms look unpleasant, and they are, but the good news is that gum disease is controllable. There is much that you can do to prevent it and we can also help you out. It is also worth remembering that gum disease can be a ‘silent’ problem in that you may not have any obvious symptoms, but that doesn’t mean that harm isn’t being done to your teeth and gums. This is why you should have your teeth professionally monitored every six months or so, even if no obvious issues are present.

The most important thing that you can do to maintain healthy gums is to have a good home cleaning regime. We have covered this in more detail in previous blogs but essentially you should brush your teeth twice daily with a ‘healthy’ toothbrush (preferably an electric one) and also floss between your teeth. Don’t eat or drink anything but water after your night time clean.

We can help too. Even with the best home cleaning, some bacteria will remain on the gums and form a hard crust known as tartar or calculus. This can only be removed by our local Ipswich dental hygienist using a procedure known as a scale and polish. They will also offer advice on improvements that you can make to your oral health; for example suggesting that you stop smoking .. a very good idea indeed!

You should visit the dentist and hygienist at six monthly intervals unless we suggest more frequent visits. This would apply more to those at a higher risk due to medical conditions such as diabetes. Make sure that you have your appointments booked and if not, please call the Foxhall Dental Practice today to make one on 01473 258396.