Swollen or puffy gums. Dusky red or dark red gums. Gums that bleed easily when you brush or floss. Bad breath.
Red, swollen gums. Healthy gums should be pink and firm. Persistent bad breath or bad taste in the mouth.
The gums may then become swollen, sore, or infected; this is referred to as gingivitis. In general, gum disease can be treated or prevented by maintaining a good oral health regime. However, if it is left to develop, it can result in periodontitis, which weakens the supporting structures of the teeth.
In the first stage of periodontitis, called gingivitis, you may notice red, swollen gums and bad breath. Gums might also bleed when you brush or floss. Gingivitis, which is reversible, can be treated by improving at-home dental care and visiting your dentist regularly for treatment.
If you have mild gingivitis, it can take weeks or even months for it to turn into periodontitis. However, if you have severe gingivitis, it can progress into periodontitis in as little as a few days. This is why it is so important to see a dentist as soon as you notice any symptoms of gingivitis.
In the early stage of gum disease—called gingivitis—signs such as bleeding gums and slight gum recession are ignored. However, if not addressed in the early stages, it is possible to experience swollen gums that are constantly tender, chills, fever, and a runny nose.
The longer that plaque and tartar remain on your teeth, the more they irritate the gingiva, the part of your gum around the base of your teeth, causing inflammation. In time, your gums become swollen and bleed easily. Tooth decay (dental caries) also may result.
Untreated gingivitis will progress into periodontitis, which is a more severe stage of gum disease. The infection and pockets deepen while eating away at your jaw until your teeth become loose and fall out.
Gingivitis can cause your breath to smell like sulfur or rotten eggs. This is because of the bacteria in your mouth releasing chemicals that smells like these things. If you have gingivitis, you may also notice that your gingiva, or gums, are red and swollen. You may also bleed when you brush or floss your teeth.
Acidic food – acidic foods can eat away at your tooth enamel and lead to cavities, they can also create an environment in which harmful bacteria thrive. However, acid is not only found in the evident culprits like pickles and alcohols, otherwise healthy foods such as tomatoes or citrus fruit are high in acid.
Diagnosis. How it's done The dentist will examine your gums for signs of inflammation and use a tiny ruler called a “probe” to measure pockets around the teeth. Why it's done In a healthy mouth, the pockets around the teeth are usually between 1 and 3 millimeters. Deeper pockets can be a sign of periodontal disease.
In the advanced stages of gum disease, gums can become quite painful. If your gums are throbbing, or you are feeling a pulsing sensation, it's possible that your gums are infected and could be in danger.
tender gums that may be painful to the touch. bleeding from the gums when brushing or flossing. halitosis, or bad breath. receding gums.
Drinking water keeps your body's tissues healthy and hydrated–including gum tissue. Healthy gum tissue helps prevent infection. Drinking water washes away the bacteria that cause gingivitis. It improves saliva production, which helps fight gum disease by washing away harmful bacteria.
Gums that bleed while flossing or brushing. Purple or dark red gums. Development of spaces in between teeth. Persistent bad breath.
Your healing gums might require a gentler touch first, so make sure you are using a soft-bristled brush and applying the right amount of pressure. Use a water flosser or interdental brush to get between your teeth and under your gumline to remove irritants like bacteria and food debris and help reduce inflammation.
Gum disease will have an effect on the immune system, even though it is entirely preventable through good oral health and regular visits to the dentist. Gum disease will cause stress on the immune system causing it to work harder which can cause fatigue.
Do you think that gum disease only poses a threat to your oral health? Think again. Gum disease affects your whole body and can increase your risk of cancer and heart disease.
It's challenging to imagine infected gums in your mouth can have a dramatic impact on different parts of your body, including your heart, lungs, bones, blood sugar levels, and fetal development. In addition, the bacteria from your gums can impact your body in different ways.
Salt water can help to remove the plaque and bacteria from your teeth and gums. Salt has healing properties that can treat and heal inflamed or swollen gums caused by gum disease. Even though salt water is extremely effective in helping to treat gum disease, salt water cannot cure gum disease.