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EspañolGum disease symptoms: What are the early signs of gum disease?
Overview of gum disease
Most people think of the “gums” as the soft, pink tissues surrounding the teeth' base, the “gingivae.” However, gum disease can involve all the structures that hold the teeth in place. The lower structures that hold the teeth in place are made up of connective tissue, ligaments, and bone and are called the periodontium. Mild gum disease, or gingivitis, only affects the outer pink layer, but more severe gum disease, called periodontitis, involves the structures holding the teeth in place.
Gingivitis is typically painless. The gingiva can get swollen, red around the teeth, and bleed easily. Periodontitis can cause more dramatic symptoms. Not only are the gums red and swollen, but they can also start receding, exposing more of the teeth. The teeth might become sensitive, and eating might be painful. Bad breath becomes an ongoing complaint. As the problem worsens, teeth loosen, and biting and chewing may become difficult. The pain and bad breath get worse the longer the problem goes untreated.
RELATED: What causes tooth infection? Related conditions and treatments
Key takeaways:
Gum disease is a common health condition that can affect anyone regardless of age, sex, race, or ethnicity.
Early signs of gum disease include swelling, redness, and bleeding of the gums.
Serious symptoms of gum disease, such as fever or severe swelling of the jaw bone or mouth, may require immediate medical attention.
Gum disease is caused by bacterial infections, but mild gum disease (gingivitis) might also be caused by hormone changes, poor nutrition, and medication side effects. You may be at risk for developing gum disease symptoms if you have poor oral hygiene, crooked or crowded teeth, defective fillings, poorly fitting bridges, or diabetes. Other risk factors include genetics, age, poor nutrition, certain medications, hormonal changes, stress, and a weakened immune system.
Gum disease usually requires a medical diagnosis.
Gum disease generally requires treatment. Mild gum disease symptoms typically resolve quickly with treatment, but periodontitis symptoms may take longer to treat.
Treatment of gum disease may include deep dental cleaning, antiseptic mouthwash, and antibiotics, or dental surgery in more serious cases. Read more about gum disease treatments here.
Untreated gum disease could result in complications like tooth loss, infections, pregnancy problems, and possible heart or lung problems.
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What are the early signs of gum disease?
Gum disease typically begins as gingivitis, an inflammation of the skin-like tissues that surround the teeth. The earliest warning signs of gingivitis are:
Gum redness
Gum swelling
Gum bleeding when brushing the teeth, flossing, or probing the gums
Other gum disease symptoms
The most common symptoms of gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease, are:
Gum redness
Gum swelling
Gum bleeding when brushing the teeth, flossing, or probing the gums
If gingivitis is caused by a bacterial infection—which it usually is—the infection can spread to the connective tissues and bone surrounding the tooth, the periodontium. This more advanced stage of gum disease is called periodontitis. Symptoms include:
Gum tenderness
Receding gum line so that more of the tooth is visible
Persistent bad breath
Loose teeth
Pain when biting or chewing
Gum disease vs. periodontal abscess symptoms
An abscess is an infection that forms a pocket filled with pus. A dental abscess is a tooth infection that spreads to the gums or the jaw bone beneath the tooth. A periodontal abscess is formed when bacteria beneath the gums fill a pocket in the periodontium. The most common cause is gum disease, but it can also be due to tooth abnormalities or a cracked tooth. While some of the symptoms of a periodontal abscess are similar to gum disease, some symptoms, such as pain and swelling, tend to be localized to the area around the abscess. Unlike gum disease, a periodontal abscess is a rapidly-developing medical condition that can quickly evolve into a dental or medical emergency, so symptoms of a periodontal abscess should be evaluated by a dentist or other clinician as soon as possible.
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Related: Dental abscess treatments and medications
Types of gum disease: How can I tell which one I have?
Dental health professionals distinguish between two forms of gum disease: gingivitis and periodontitis.
Gingivitis is gum disease that only affects the soft, pink, skin-like tissue on the outside of the gums (the mucosa). Symptoms are mild, and discomfort is minimal or nonexistent. Healthcare professionals distinguish between four types of gingivitis when determining the appropriate treatment:
Plaque-induced gingivitis is due to bacterial infestations in the pockets between the gums and the teeth
Hormonal gingivitis is gum inflammation due to hormonal changes and is usually experienced during puberty or pregnancy
Nutritional gingivitis is gum swelling brought on by a vitamin C deficiency
Drug-induced gingivitis is a side effect of drugs like calcium channel blockers, birth control pills, blood thinners, and some types of anticonvulsants
Periodontitis is gum disease that affects not only the outer gum tissues but also the inner layers, as well. Periodontitis is more destructive than gingivitis and can lead to irreversible damage to bone or other gum tissues.
Chronic periodontitis is the most common form and progressively destroys the gum tissues
Aggressive periodontal disease progresses more rapidly and is most commonly diagnosed in adolescents
Periodontal disease relating to systemic conditions is an aggressive periodontal disease brought on as a complication of diabetes or heart problems
Necrotizing periodontal disease is very rare and progresses very rapidly—it is usually associated with a weakened immune system, HIV/AIDS, or malnutrition
When to see a doctor for gum disease symptoms
See a dentist or other dental health provider if any gum disease symptoms are experienced. Gum disease is a chronic disease and can worsen. Deep cleaning can rapidly improve the condition, and restore gum health in most cases. If gum disease has advanced to periodontitis, treatment may not be able to completely restore the gums but can halt further damage.
If there are symptoms of a severe infection or abscess, such as severe facial pain, jaw pain, or facial swelling, get immediate dental or medical treatment.
Gum disease is diagnosed primarily by examining the teeth and gums. Swollen, red gums are easily visible, as is any tartar or calculus buildup near or under the gums. To determine the severity of the problem, a dental professional will probe the area under the gums to determine the depth of the pockets forming between the teeth and the gums. Expect to be asked about your oral hygiene practices, dental history, and dental care history, including the last time the teeth were professionally cleaned.
While X-rays are not needed to diagnose gingivitis, they may still be taken to make sure the teeth are healthy and that the gum disease has not spread to the periodontium. X-rays are required to diagnose periodontitis and will guide the dental professional in the appropriate treatments.
Complications of gum disease
The most common complications of gum disease are:
Tooth loss
Gum tissue damage
Bone loss
Gum disease can also raise the risk of cardiovascular problems, diabetes, pregnancy problems, respiratory infections, and some types of cancer.
How to treat gum disease symptoms
Gum disease does require treatment. The standard treatment for both gingivitis and periodontitis is deep cleaning (scaling and root planing). Scaling removes tartar and calculus from the teeth both above and below the gum line using a pick, ultrasonic device, or laser. Root planing smooths the outer surface of the tooth roots. After a deep cleaning, the pockets between the teeth and gums will be open, so the dentist will prescribe an antiseptic chlorhexidine mouthwash to prevent bacteria from recolonizing those areas below the gum line. In some cases, a dentist may put topical antibiotics in the open pockets to prevent reinfection. Follow-up teeth cleaning may be required every two or three months.
Periodontitis may require more involved treatment. In addition to cleaning, scaling, and root planing, a dentist may also prescribe a short course of antibiotics to eliminate the infection. Severe cases may require surgery to reduce the pockets. Other surgeries may be required to reshape the bones or graft new bone or soft tissue to repair damaged tissue.
Living with gum disease
Gum disease is a chronic problem but can be successfully and often easily treated, starting with a deep cleaning. After a deep cleaning, it will take a few weeks for the teeth and gums to return to normal. During that period:
Use any prescribed mouthwash as instructed
Take any prescribed antibiotics as instructed
Follow any instructions given by a dentist or dental hygienist on the proper way to use a toothbrush, interdental brush, and floss
Keep any follow-up appointments and cleanings
Most importantly, take care of your teeth
For most people, gum disease is preventable by good oral hygiene:
Brush with a fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day for two minutes each time
Floss daily using either string floss or a water flosser
Get regular dental checkups at least once per year
Get professional cleaning every six months to remove dental plaque buildup
FAQs about gum disease symptoms
How to cure gum disease without a dentist?
At the very least, gum disease requires deep cleaning beneath the gums. This will require the services of a dental hygienist, dentist, or periodontist. Advanced periodontitis may require more aggressive treatments.
How to reverse gum disease?
The first step in reversing gum disease is the professional removal of tartar and calculus from the teeth and from beneath the gums. For advanced periodontitis, antibiotics or surgery may be required to stop the progress of the disease. Afterward, good oral health care, including tooth brushing and flossing, is necessary for maintaining healthy gums.
How to fix loose teeth from gum disease?
A dentist typically uses a splint to treat loose teeth. The splint can be a fiber, metal wire, or metal plate that bonds the tooth to surrounding teeth. It can run along the top or back of the teeth. The splint holds the tooth solidly in place, giving the tissues that hold the tooth firmly in place a chance to heal and regrow.
What’s next? Additional resources for people with gum disease symptoms
Test and diagnostics
Gingivitis, StatPearls
Gingivitis treatments and medications, SingleCare
Gum disease information, American Academy of Periodontology
Periodontitis, StatPearls
Treatments
Gingivitis, StatPearls
Gingivitis treatments and medications, SingleCare
Periodontal disease, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Periodontal (gum) disease, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
Periodontitis, StatPearls
Scientific studies and clinical trials
More information on related health conditions
Dental abscess treatments and medications, SingleCare
Dry socket treatments and medications, SingleCare
What causes tooth infection? Related conditions and treatments, SingleCare