5 Symptoms of Gum Disease

Did you know that if left untreated, gum disease can cause your teeth to fall out? This is actually one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults! Gum disease can easily be treated and reversed in its early stages, however, but how would you know if you have it? Here are some of the most common signs of gum disease to watch out for:

1. Tartar buildup

When plaque isn’t removed from your mouth, it hardens over the course of 24 hours into tartar. Tartar buildup can only be cleaned away by a dental professional. This is why it’s always recommended to schedule a regular checkup/cleaning every 6 months.

2. Bleeding gums

One of the most visible signs of infected gums is bleeding gums. This usually occurs due to the result of tartar buildup under the gumlines. You’ll find that the bleeding and any inflammation is commonly triggered by brushing or flossing.

3. Receding gums

As your gum infection worsens, your body triggers an immune system response that leads to the tissues detaching and receding down to the roots of your teeth.

4. Loose teeth

If allowed to progress to severe stages, your jawbone eventually shrinks away from your teeth, compromising the foundation that keeps them secured in your mouth. Slowly, these shaky, unstable teeth will fall out!

5. Bad breath

Persistently having bad breath that you can’t seem to get rid of? This could be due to calcified tartar deposited deep under your gumlines (where your toothbrush and floss can’t reach). The only way to fix this would be a professional cleaning.

These are the most common signs of gum disease to watch out for. If they seem familiar, we recommend calling (03) 9540 8900 to schedule a checkup ASAP with one of our dental professionals. Either way, a checkup should be scheduled every 6 months to ensure any problems are caught early hand and your teeth are kept free of tartar buildup!