Oral Health Link to Whole Body Health: A Blog

Gum Disease: The 4 Signs to Watch Out For

29 January 2016

Duane Kelly

Gum disease, also called gingivitis, is a type of infection that affects not only the gums, but the  teeth, and jawbone as well. Many people have signs of gum disease without realising they have it. It is important that you visit your dentist if you suspect you have gingivitis, so paying attention to the following signs can help.

Changes in Your Gums

One of the first signs of having gum disease is noticing different types of changes in your gums. You may first notice that they have become red and swollen. Gums when healthy are pink and fit snugly over the teeth. When they become infected, they start to swell, darken and pull away from the teeth. It is also very common for the gums to bleed when you develop gingivitis. It is a common misconception that bleeding gums is normal when brushing or flossing your teeth. If you have healthy gums, this should not be happening every time you brush your teeth. See your dentist if you experience any of these gum changes.

Your Teeth Appear Loose

When gum disease progresses, it becomes a more serious form of the disease called periodontitis. This can cause even more changes inside your mouth. If it goes untreated, the tissue and bone that is supposed to support your teeth starts to deteriorate, which can cause your teeth to loosen and even shift. It is a slow progression, so you may not notice it until suddenly a gap you had between your teeth is closing or when you chew in a certain area of your mouth, your teeth in that area appear loose. Having loose teeth or shifting teeth is a good reason to visit the dentist.

There is a Change in Your Bite

Teeth shifting in your mouth isn't always obvious when you start developing advanced gum disease. You may notice a change until your bite is suddenly different. If you close your jaw and some of your teeth don't quite match up how they used to, it is likely due to a change in your teeth from shifting. Another thing to look for is how your retainer fits. If you put in the retainer and it doesn't fit like it used to be, your teeth might be shifting from gum disease.

You Notice Bad Breath or Weird Taste

With gum disease, the infection can cause you to always have bad breath odour, even shortly after brushing your teeth. If you find that you are using mouthwash, brushing your teeth regularly, and eating mints for fresh breath, but it doesn't last long, it might be due to a gum infection. Without proper treatment, the infection in your gums can also lead to a bad taste in your mouth that never seem to go away fully.

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