Swollen gums, persistent bad breath, temporary dentures that suddenly do not fit – have you experienced these symptoms lately? If so, you may have gingivitis.

This is one of the most common types of periodontal disease, that causes the gums to recede, and become inflamed. If not treated immediately, it can lead to other severe conditions, such as periodontitis.

If you do not want to have periodontal gum disease, or you do not want to make your condition worse, the first thing that you need to do, is arm yourself with knowledge. If you know the symptoms, you can easily take the precautionary measures. This short guide will discuss the important facts that you need to know about periodontal disease.

General Symptoms

The first thing that you need to check is the appearance of your gums. If they are rigid and pink, it means that they are healthy. However, if you have mild gingivitis, you will experience the following symptoms:

– Your gums are too soft and they have a reddish hue.

– Your gums suddenly bleed while you brush your teeth.

If the condition gets worse, you will also experience the following:

– Receding gum line.

– Persistent bad breath.

– Presence of pus in the gaps of your teeth and gums.

– Loose teeth.

Common Causes of Gum Problems

The main cause of gum disease is bacterial infection. The infection starts when plaque starts to build up in the gaps between your teeth. Plaque is usually home to a lot of bacteria. Almost everyone has this sticky and colorless layer in their teeth.

Gum disease can also occur when a person is ill, and their immune system is down. If you have diabetes, your immune system is not powerful enough to kill the bacteria that can cause periodontal disease.

Other causes of this condition include hormonal changes, and poorly-made temporary dentures.

Should you Seek Medical Help?

During the early stages of your gum disease, it is highly recommended that you contact the best dentist in Annapolis, MD for immediate examination. The best dentists can offer you a lot of useful advice regarding good dental hygiene.

In addition, you should floss regularly to remove bacteria-causing plaque, found between the gaps in your teeth. However, make sure to practice the correct way of flossing to prevent your gums from getting extremely damaged.

Gum disease can easily be managed, and prevented at home, but if the symptoms still persist, seek help from a doctor.

How to Diagnose Gum Disease?

Usually dentists and physicians review the patient’s dental history, and do several oral tests. This includes X-rays, and a collection of tissue samples. A thorough medical history may also be conducted to determine if the gingivitis was triggered by previous ailments.