There are a number of symptoms that could indicate gum disease. Included in these are:
- Gums that are red or swollen
- Teeth that are loose or sensitive
- Bad breath that you cannot get rid of
- Gums that are tender or bleeding
- Teeth may look longer because the gum line is receding
- Chewing is painful
Having any of these symptoms can be serious and a dentist should be seen as soon as any of these symptoms are noticed. During your dental exam, there are a few things the dentist will do, including:
- Examining your gums in order to determine whether or not they are inflamed
- Check the pockets in your mouth to ensure they are healthy. The pockets are checked with a tiny ruler. When the pockets are healthy, they will be between one and three millimeters.
- Check into your medical history looking for anything that could be a risk factor for gum disease, such as smoking.
