Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is one of the biggest threats to your oral health. If your gums are infected and compromised, they can have a serious effect on the rest of your mouth, putting your teeth and even your jawbone at risk.

At Dental Specialty Associates, we know how important it is to treat periodontal disease in its early stages, before it gets too serious. Protect yourself by getting to know these early warning signs of periodontal disease. If you notice that you are experiencing any of them, don’t hesitate to give us a call.

Persistent Bad Breath

Do you have bad breath that won’t go away? If you have breath that doesn’t seem to improve, no matter how many times you rinse out your mouth or chew on some mints, that’s a warning sign of gum disease.

Swollen Gums

If your gums start to swell up and feel tender, that’s a major red flag. This is a sign that your gums have become infected. Often times this is a result of tooth decay. As the pulp tissue inside the tooth rots, the infection spreads into the gums.

Other gum-related warning signs include bleeding and receding of gum tissue. If you bleed every time you breath your teeth, something is wrong. And if it seems like your gums are pulling back and more of your teeth are exposed than they should be, all signs pointing to you having some form of periodontal disease.

Painful Bite

When you bite or chew, does it hurt? Tenderness in your jaw is a classic warning sign of periodontal disease. Another thing to watch out for is the way your bite fits together. If your teeth start to feel uneven, that’s a sign that your teeth have been shifting due to your gums weakening.

Temperature Sensitivity

Does eating or drinking anything that’s very hot or cold cause you pain? Do your teeth seem overly sensitive? This is a sign of oncoming periodontal disease. Several factors may cause this. By the wearing down of the protective enamel of your teeth, and by the thinning and receding of your gums that causes your nerves to be vulnerable and exposing.

Loose Teeth

A rather dire consequence of your gums weakening is that it also compromises the integrity of your teeth. If your teeth feel loose in your mouth or if they are outright falling out, then you’ve got serious gum disease issues to work out.

To find out more about periodontal warning signs, give Dental Specialty Associates a call at 602-795-5995.