According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than half of adults over the age of 30 in the United States have periodontal (gum) disease. Unfortunately, many people who have gum disease do not know they have a problem. Here is a look at three of the primary signs that you could have gum disease.

Sign #1: You have issues with persistent bad breath.

Halitosis (bad breath) is one of the most common signs of periodontal disease. Of course, you can have issues with bad breath if you eat a lot of certain foods, do not brush your teeth regularly, or if you have teeth that are decaying. However, if none of these things can be blamed, the health of your gums could be a sign that you have gum disease. The odors come from the unhealthy gum tissue.

Sign #2: You are seeing more blood than usual when you brush or floss.

A tiny amount of blood is typical when you brush or floss your teeth. However, if you suddenly start seeing that your entire toothbrush is tinged pink or you are getting floss covered in blood when you floss, it could indicate that you have an issue with periodontal disease. If you are seeing excess blood when you brush and floss, it can sometimes mean you have an unusual amount of inflammation in your gums, which can make the soft tissue easier than usual to cause to bleed.

Sign #3: You have gums that appear inflamed or swollen.

Take a close look at your gums in the mirror. Are your gums redder than usual? Do they appear swollen in certain spots? If so, you may have some type of gum disease. This excess inflammation is the body’s immune response to attack whatever it is that is causing the problem.

Find Out More About Periodontal Disease at Tran Dental

Periodontal disease can be a major danger to the overall health of your teeth and your body. If you have seen signs and symptoms of gum disease in your mouth, reach out to Tran Dental to make an appointment as soon as possible. With the proper treatment, we can help you overcome the threats to your oral health.