The Signs of Gum Disease

Persistent swollen, red or bleeding gums, tooth sensitivity, and bad breath are among the warning signs of periodontal (gum) disease.

Periodontal disease is often silent, meaning symptoms may not appear until an advanced stage of the disease. We see many patients who have early signs of gum disease and our early preventative treatments yield excellent results and patients keeping their teeth who might have otherwise lost them.

Warning signs of periodontal disease include the following:

• Red, swollen or tender gums or other pain in your mouth
• Bleeding while brushing, flossing, or eating hard food
• Gums that are receding or pulling away from the teeth, causing the teeth to look longer than before
• Teeth that are loose or appear to have shifted
• Pus between your gums and teeth
• A bad taste in your mouth when chewing certain foods
• Sores in your mouth
• Persistent bad breath
• A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
• A change in the fit of partial dentures or retainers