Do you have tender, puffy, or dark red gums that bleed when you brush and floss your teeth? If so, you may have gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease. This condition can be hard to detect in the early stages, and so it frequently progresses to more advanced periodontal problems before it’s caught.
Understanding more about how you developed this condition can help you stop it in its tracks. Continue reading to learn more about what gum disease is and whether it’s contagious so you can safeguard your smile!
What Is Gum Disease?
Are you aware that the human mouth contains around six billion bacteria, roughly the same number as the people on Earth? That’s a lot of germs! If harmful microbes form plaque along your gum line, they can penetrate the connective tissue and cause an infection.
The first stage is known as gingivitis, which can sometimes be reversed by practicing a more diligent at-home dental hygiene routine. Thoroughly brushing and flossing your teeth twice daily is essential to removing plaque and tartar buildup that contribute to oral issues like tooth decay and gum disease.
Unfortunately, many patients don’t see visible symptoms until the problem worsens. If it does, you may require additional treatments, like scaling and root planing or antibiotics, to fix it.
What are the Symptoms of Gum Disease?
You might have an issue if you notice:
- Bleeding or oozing when you brush and floss.
- Red, sore, or inflamed gums tissue.
- Bad breath or an unpleasant taste in your mouth.
- Tooth sensitivity or pain when chewing.
- Receding gumline.
- Loose teeth or tooth loss.
How Did I Develop Gum Disease?
Sometimes, gingivitis occurs because of a lack of proper dental hygiene. If you’re not regularly clearing germs out of your mouth, then you’re much more likely to experience this disease. It can also be spread through saliva, so you may have caught your gum disease from someone else.
For example, parents of small children might inadvertently pass their germs along after sharing a utensil during a meal or by kissing them on the lips. Their immune systems are still developing, so it’s not uncommon for germs to spread to small smiles and cause problems. It’s also possible for you to catch it from a romantic partner through kissing, as the bacteria transfers from your significant other’s mouth to yours.
If you’re concerned about gum disease and unsure whether you need professional intervention, it’s better to err on the side of caution and schedule an appointment!
About the Author
Dr. Karen Neil has 30+ years of experience helping people live their best lives by enhancing their dental health. She earned her dental doctorate from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio and then opened her dental office in 1993. Today, she has committed countless hours to ongoing education and is an active member of several prestigious organizations, so you know your grin is in good hands. She combines a compassionate approach with state-of-the-art technology to provide fully individualized services to meet your unique needs. If you think you may have gum disease, you can request an appointment on the website or call (817) 738-3368.