Your dental health is more important than you may realize. Gum disease doesn’t just affect your smile–it can impact your overall well-being, from making it harder to enjoy your favourite meals to potentially contributing to significant health issues.
The good news is gum disease can be reversed if treated early enough.
But how do you know if you’re at risk, and what can be done about it? You don’t have to face it alone. Your dentist can be your ally in the fight against gum disease so you can enjoy a healthy smile for years to come.
What You Need to Know About Gum Disease
Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is one of the most prevalent dental problems Canadians face. It affects people of all ages, but its likelihood increases as we get older. Surprisingly, 70% of people will develop gum disease during their lifetime.
Gum disease often begins subtly, with minimal discomfort, making it easy to overlook. However, early diagnosis and treatment are essential for managing or reversing its effects.
Recognizing the Signs of Gum Disease
Detecting gum disease in its early stages is essential for protecting your oral health. Gum disease often starts as a mild form called gingivitis, which can be treated effectively with proper care.
But if left unmanaged, it can advance to periodontitis, a more severe and irreversible stage of gum disease.
Here are common symptoms of gum disease you should never ignore:
- Tenderness or severe discomfort in your gums
- Gums that bleed when brushing or flossing
- Persistent bad breath
- Red, swollen, or discoloured gums
- Severe tooth sensitivity or discomfort
- Gums pulling away from your teeth (receding gums)
- A metallic or unpleasant taste in your mouth
- Teeth looking “longer” due to gum recession
If you’ve noticed any of these signs, it’s time to take action. While gingivitis can often be reversed, treating periodontitis requires professional dental care.
What Is Gingivitis?
Gingivitis refers to the early stages of gum disease. It’s caused by plaque accumulation—a sticky bacterial film that forms on your teeth. If not removed through proper brushing and flossing, this plaque hardens into tartar, which can no longer be removed with at-home care.
At this stage, you might notice red, swollen gums or a bit of blood when you brush or floss. Gingivitis is a warning sign that your gums need attention. Still, the important part is that it’s reversible if treated early enough.
With a good oral hygiene routine and professional cleanings to remove tartar, the inflammation can be reduced, and your gums can return to a healthy state.
The key is consistency. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups can help prevent gingivitis from progressing to something more severe.
The Severity of Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease is what happens when gingivitis is left untreated. By this stage, bacteria have worked beneath the gumline, infecting the tissue and eroding the bones supporting your teeth.
Signs of periodontitis include:
- Deep “pockets” forming between the teeth & gums
- Gums pulling away from teeth, exposing their roots
- Loose or shifting teeth
- Bone loss around the teeth’s base
Once gum disease reaches the advanced stages, the damage to the gums, bone, and supporting tissue in your mouth is mostly irreversible. Unfortunately, when surrounding structures and tissue are weakened, your teeth can become loose and require extraction.
However, the disease progresses in episodes, which means that with treatment, your dentist can halt further damage and manage the condition. Regular cleanings and evaluations become critical at this point to stop the progression and maintain your oral health.
How Dentists Diagnose Gum Disease
If you’re worried about gum disease, the first step is to schedule an appointment with your dentist. We can assess your gums and teeth using a few simple but effective methods, such as:
- Visual examination to check for signs of redness, swelling, or gum recession during a dental exam
- Measuring gum pockets with a specialized tool to measure the depth of the pockets around your teeth; anything beyond 3 millimetres may indicate a problem
- X-ray imaging to aid your dentist in assessing potential bone loss beneath your gums
Lifestyle factors like smoking, medical conditions like diabetes, and even stress levels can contribute to gum disease. That’s why your dentist will also review your health history to understand all contributing factors.
Healthy Gums, Happy Life
Gum disease is preventable when caught early, and even if you’re currently dealing with its effects, there are ways to manage and improve your gum health.
Don’t wait until symptoms worsen. Regular brushing and flossing, combined with professional dental care, can go a long way in keeping your smile healthy and strong.
Give your gums the attention they deserve. Book an appointment at Dow’s Lake Dental today and get personalized care. We’re committed to helping you enjoy healthier gums and brighter smiles.