Everything You Need to Know about Gum Disease

The NHS defines gum disease as any condition which causes the gums to swell up, redden, and become painful. This is a very broad classification of course and the site rightly recommends seeking the advice of a dentist for further clarification. In this post, we are going to dig a bit deeper than that and provide you with all the preliminary information that anyone might need, prior to seeing a professional.

There are 2 Distinct Stages of Gum Disease: Gingivitis and Periodontitis

Gingivitis and Periodontitis are not synonymous conditions at all, but they are both gum diseases. However, the point to note here is that gingivitis and periodontitis are not necessarily two completely separate gum conditions either. Gingivitis is a precursor of periodontitis and the first stage of gum disease. Periodontitis is the second stage of gum disease and a much more serious condition than gingivitis. Most people who complain about having red, swollen gums are suffering from gingivitis, which can be prevented from maturing into periodontitis with timely dental treatment.

Gingivitis: Common Signs and Symptoms

Gingivitis starts out as a mild form of gum disease, indicating that the patient is in their earliest stage of gum disease. If someone has gingivitis, the symptoms will vary depending on how long they have had it, but the following symptoms are to be expected:

• Deep pink, reddish, or deep red gums.
• Swollen gums that bleed while brushing and/or flossing.
• In the early stages, there won’t be any pain or oversensitivity related to the bleeding and swelling.
• Mild/moderate pain and sensitivity may become a symptom if the patient is in advanced stage of gingivitis.
• Random bleeding will also be common as the disease continues to progress unchecked.

If you have any of the symptoms mentioned above and you live in Worcestershire, contact a private dentist in Worcester to prevent your gingivitis from becoming periodontitis.

Periodontitis: Common Signs and Symptoms

Periodontitis is the medical term for gum disease that has progressed to its second and more severe stage. In addition to the gums and teeth, periodontitis will eventually damage the jawbone and connective tissues, causing the patient’s teeth to eventually fall out. Common symptoms include:

• Deep red, swollen, and painful gums.
• Sore gums that bleed while brushing or flossing.
• Sore gums that bleed without any aggravation whatsoever.
• Halitosis, aka bad breath.
• Increasing teeth sensitivity and looseness, accompanied by painful chewing.
• Increasing frequency and intensity of toothaches.
• Wobbly, oversensitive adult teeth, and teeth shifting.
• Receding gums and teeth loss.

There isn’t exactly a definitive point where gingivitis turns into periodontitis, so the initial symptoms are very similar to what a patient suffering from gingivitis experiences, but at a much higher intensity.

That is pretty much all any patient needs to know about gum disease, prior to seeking treatment. Do not attempt to self-diagnose but take the symptoms as warnings. They indicate that that the patient is in urgent need of dental help. Delaying or denying them will only increase the patient’s pain and medical expenses in the future.