A Few Signs that You Might Have Gingivitis

The first stage of gum disease, known as gingivitis, can seem deceptively minor in its earliest stages. For example, patients in Encinitas/San Diego can notice the small warning signs and yet still ignore them or fail to seek treatment. Because of this, gingivitis quickly (and often) matures into more serious gum disease before patients seek treatment for it. Today, we examine a few signs that you might have gum disease and should visit your periodontist as soon as possible to address it.

You notice your breath getting worse

Gingivitis is caused by an excessive gathering of oral bacteria, some of which can also lead to chronic, increasingly worse bad breath. Even if you don’t notice any other symptoms at first, the presence of bad breath that doesn’t go away after brushing and flossing could be a significant warning sign of this accumulation. If not addressed, then your advancing gum disease could cause your bad breath to continue growing worse over time.

Your gums feel sensitive in areas

As harmful bacteria infect your gums and the tissues swell and bleed, you may notice that certain areas of your gums are becoming more sensitive. The sensitivity may not be severe at first, but it could indicate that your gum disease has already progressed enough to cause significant erosion of the tissues. Before long, this erosion can become severe enough to lead to increased risks of permanent tooth loss.

You see blood when you brush and floss

Besides bad breath and tissue sensitivity, diseased gums also bleed when placed under pressure. For example, when you brush and floss your teeth, you may notice spots of blood mixed with your toothpaste and saliva in the sink. This is often one of the earliest signs and may be present even in the absence of bad breath and sensitive gum tissues.

Find out if you might have gingivitis

If you think you might have gingivitis, or are already experiencing more severe symptoms of gum disease, then don’t hesitate to seek treatment 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.