Gum Disease
- Symptoms
What are the common signs and symptoms of gum disease?
- Bleeding gums when brushing or flossing your teeth
- Red, swollen or receding gums where the roots of your teeth can be seen
- Shaky or loose teeth
- Teeth appearing to drift apart from their original positions
- Persistent bad breath
The early stages of gum disease are usually pain-free and so patients may not be aware of any problems. Hence, it is important to visit your dentist regularly to check for gum disease.
Untreated gum disease with unhealthy gums appearing red and swollen. The gums around the teeth have receded, exposing the roots of teeth and leaving spaces between the affected teeth.
An upper front tooth that has drifted from its original position.
An upper front tooth that has drifted from its original positionThe appearance of diseased gums contrasts with how healthy gums should look in someone who has no history of gum disease – tissues around the teeth are pink, firm and not bleeding.
This photograph illustrates what stable gums should look like in someone who has been treated for gum disease – gums around the teeth are pink and firm with minimal bleeding but with spaces between the teeth due to the loss of bone from the disease process.
