Early Signs of Gum Deterioration

When it comes to your dental health, there are certain things you should always be on the look out. Gum deterioration, any change in your bite, and dry mouth or bad breath are all things to be aware of. None of them are good and they can all be treated safely and effectively before the irreversible damage is done to your teeth and gums. In the case of gum deterioration, the most likely culprit is tooth and gum disease. Catching this disease in the early stages ensures the best chances of eliminating the problem. Here are a few of the earliest signs you should watch for.

• bleeding gums
• sensitive gums
• chronic bad breath

As hard as the dental community has worked to get the word out about gum disease, the general public still has some misconceptions that aren’t helping prevent this common dental disease. One such myth is that bleeding gums are a sign that you are getting your teeth very clean with your toothbrush. Let’s eliminate this myth now. Your gums should never bleed due to regular brushing. With bleeding, receding gums are usually the cause. It’s a clear signal that there are damaging bacteria at work and fast action is required to limit the amount of damage done.

Another one of the classic signs of gum disease is sensitive gums. It can occur when you eat or drink something very hot or very cold. Some people also complain of sensitive gums while they are brushing their teeth. For some gum disease patients, the gums may feel tingling or almost like an itch. This is your gums way of telling you that they aren’t completely healthy and gum disease is a high risk. If natural means of fighting the infection don’t work, make sure you see your dentist to rule out more extensive damage.

No one likes to talk about it, but there are occasions when bad breath appears and it has nothing to do with eating onions or garlic. If you find yourself in a situation where brushing, flossing, and maintaining a good dental hygiene routine still leaves you with less than fresh breath, the chances are good you are in the beginning stages of gum disease. In addition to using good bad breath remedies, seeking the advice of a dentist is a good idea.