Slight bleeding is one of the most common telltale signs of gum disease. When you brush and floss your teeth and gums, you may notice small spots of blood mixed with your saliva and toothpaste. Many patients ignore this, believing that it’s harmless or that they’re just brushing too harshly. However, the bleeding is more often a sign that the gums have become infected with harmful oral bacteria.
Another common sign of gum disease is the changing color of certain areas of your gum tissues. As gum disease progresses, it erodes and destroys your gum tissues, causing the most affected areas to change drastically in appearance. That includes dark, discolored areas where the disease is most prominent. You might also notice your gums becoming red, glossy, angry-looking, and increasingly inflamed.
Because periodontal disease affects your gums, it causes the tissues to gradually separate from the teeth roots that they’re supposed to protect. The spaces between them, known as periodontal pockets, increase in depth, which your periodontist can measure to determine if your gums are diseased. You might also notice signs of gum recession if you pay close attention to your gums and take note of any changes in their appearance from day to day.
If your gums seem like they might be in trouble, then they probably are and you should visit your periodontist as soon as possible. For more information, schedule a consultation with Dr. Kania by calling her periodontal office in Encinitas/San Diego, CA, at (760) 642-0711.
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