How to Tell if You Have Gingivitis or Periodontitis

Gum disease is a progressive process that begins with poor oral care.

Not only is gum disease the number one cause of tooth loss in adults, but gum disease can also cause other serious health problems. Consequently, identifying gum disease early can prevent serious complications.

Some common signs of gum disease include gums that are red and puffy. Normal gums are pink and firm. You may also experience:

• Bleeding gums
• Bad Breath
• Loose Teeth
• Pus Coming From the Gums

Your dentist will perform a thorough examination of your mouth. She will detect areas where tartar has formed on teeth. Tartar leads to the first stage of gum disease called gingivitis. You can not brush away tartar, but your dentist can physically scrape it off your teeth using special instruments.

Your dentist will also probe your periodontal pocket depth to help detect gum disease. Normally, a small 1-3 mm space exists between your gums and teeth. This space is known as the periodontal pocket. In the more advanced stages of gum disease, the inflamed gums will pull away from the teeth causing this pocket to deepen. Your dentist can measure how deep your periodontal pockets are to see if you have gum disease and how advanced it is.

Your dentist may also use x-rays to determine if the jawbone (which holds your teeth in place) has been damaged by gum disease.

Good oral care combined with twice a year dental visits can greatly reduce your chances of developing gum disease. Your smile will love you for it.