If it has been a while since your last visit to the dentist, and you notice your gums are tender and pink, you may be wondering if it is time to see your dentist about your gum health. In reality, many Americans miss their regular yearly or 6-month visits to the dentist, but over half of adults also have gum disease. Taking care of your gum health is all about daily oral hygiene, looking for signs of gum disease, and if you notice them, getting to your dentist and seeking treatment early. Below is more information about gum disease and what you should do if you start to notice your gums are not looking healthy.
How Do You Know If You Have Gum Disease?
There are a few simple signs you can look for to make sure your gums are healthy: healthy gums are firm to the touch, they don't bleed or swell, and they are pink in color and not swollen. If you notice your gums are discolored (reddish or purplish), swollen, or bleeding after brushing, you may have developed gum disease. If left untreated, gum disease can cause damage to your underlying jawbone and eventually lead to tooth loss. The challenge with gum disease is that in the earliest stages, most people don't experience any pain or discomfort. This is why it is so important to know the warning signs. There are four stages of gum disease:
- Gingivitis. In the earliest stage, the gums turn red and puffy and may bleed when you brush or floss. Gingivitis is reversible with proper treatment.
- Mild periodontitis. At this stage, the bacteria that are developing along your teeth have reached beneath the gums and may be affecting the supporting bone. The gums may pull away from the teeth, creating pockets where plaque and bacteria will hide and where your toothbrush and floss can't reach.
- Moderate periodontitis. Left untreated, the bacteria will begin to damage the ligaments, soft tissues, and bone that hold your teeth in place. Many individuals in this stage have bad breath and infection around their gum line.
- Advanced periodontitis. At this stage, bone loss continues and may cause the teeth to become loose and eventually fall out.
If you have noticed your gums are tender and bleed and you are worried about your gum health, you should schedule a visit to see your dentist as soon as possible. When treated early enough, gum disease is reversible.
What Will a Dentist Do To Improve Your Gum Health?
The first step to improving your gum health is for your dentist to determine if you have gum disease during a routine examination. During the exam, they will look for plaque buildup on the teeth and ask about symptoms. If they notice the teeth are pulling back from the gums, they will measure the pockets around your teeth using an instrument called a periodontal probe. The deeper the pockets, the more advanced the gum disease is. They will also take dental X-rays to look for bone loss in detail. Once they have completed their assessment, they can determine the best treatment options to help improve your gum health.