Danger Zone: 5 Warning Signs of Gum Disease

The five main warning signs of gum disease are gums that bleed, gums that are red, swollen or tender, gums that are pulling back from your teeth, bad breath or a bad taste that won’t go away, and teeth that feel loose or a bite that suddenly feels different. Gum disease often causes little or no pain early on, so these signs are easy to shrug off. They are worth taking seriously, because treatment can control and even reverse the early stages, while more advanced disease can only be managed.

This guide explains each sign, what early gum disease looks like, which signs mean you should call soon and which mean you should call right away, and how gum disease is diagnosed and treated at the Timonium office of Dr. Steven W. Haywood, DDS.

The five warning signs of gum disease

1. Gums that bleed

Healthy gums don’t usually bleed from normal brushing and flossing. Bleeding that happens often, whether you see it on your toothbrush, in the sink or when you eat, is one of the most common early signs of gum inflammation. It is easy to blame on brushing too hard, and sometimes that is the reason, but regular bleeding deserves a check. If your gums bleed after a professional cleaning, read what is normal after a cleaning.

2. Red, swollen or tender gums

Healthy gum tissue is usually firm and fits snugly around each tooth. Gums that look puffy or darker red than usual, or that feel sore when you brush, may be inflamed. Pus around the gumline, or when you press on the gums, is a sign of infection.

3. Receding gums

If your teeth look slightly longer than they used to, your gums may be receding. Gum recession can expose the root surfaces of teeth, which may make them sensitive to hot and cold. Brushing too hard can also contribute to recession, so it is worth ruling both out. See smart brushing vs. aggressive brushing.

4. Bad breath or a bad taste that won’t go away

Everyone has bad breath sometimes. Breath that stays bad even with good brushing, or a persistent bad taste in your mouth, can come from bacteria collecting in the pockets between inflamed gums and teeth. Bad breath has other causes too; read about bad breath causes and halitosis treatment.

5. Loose teeth or a bite that feels different

As gum disease advances, it can damage the tissue and bone that hold teeth in place. Teeth may start to feel loose, shift, or fit together differently when you bite. This is a later sign, and it means you should not wait for your next routine visit.

Other symptoms to mention at your visit

• Painful chewing
• Tooth sensitivity
• New spaces opening between teeth
• Deep pockets between the gums and teeth, found when your gums are measured

On their own, these symptoms don’t necessarily mean you have gum disease, but they are a good reason to have your gums checked. As the practice puts it, bleeding or receding gums, bad breath and deep pockets in the gums point to infection.

What early gum disease looks like

The early stage of gum disease, usually called gingivitis, is limited to the gums. It typically shows up as gums that are a little red or puffy along the edges and bleed when you brush or floss. There is often no pain, which is why it can go unnoticed for a long time.

Left untreated, the infection can move below the gumline into the tissue and bone supporting the teeth, which is called periodontitis. Gums pull away from the teeth, forming deeper pockets that hold more plaque and are harder to clean. Gum disease worsens as it progresses through its stages, and periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.

Why some people miss the signs

Gum disease can be quiet. Smoking, for example, can mask bleeding, so a smoker’s gums may look calmer than they really are. Some people simply get used to a little blood when they brush. Regular gum measurements at your cleaning catch changes you might not notice yourself. Read how smoking and vaping affect your gums.

What raises your risk

Plaque buildup is the main cause of gum disease, but some factors make it more likely or harder to control:

• Smoking, vaping and other tobacco use
• Diabetes, since gum health has been linked to diabetes and cardiac disease
• Hormonal changes, such as during pregnancy
• Medications that cause dry mouth or affect the gums
• Skipped cleanings, which let tartar build up below the gumline

For the daily habits that lower your risk, read how to prevent gum disease.

When to call the dentist

Call soon if you notice

• Gums that bleed regularly when you brush or floss
• Red, puffy or tender gums
• Bad breath that doesn’t improve with good home care
• Teeth that look longer or feel more sensitive

These signs don’t usually need same-day care, but they are a reason to book a gum check rather than wait months for your next scheduled visit.

Call right away if you notice

• Pus around a tooth or along the gums
• Swelling in your gums or face, especially with pain
• A tooth that has become loose

Pain with swelling can mean an abscess, and the bacteria can spread through the jaw and cause swelling that can become life threatening. Call as early in the day as you can. See emergency dental care.

How gum disease is diagnosed and treated in Timonium

At Dr. Haywood’s practice, the experienced hygienists take the lead on gum health, identifying, explaining, treating and monitoring everything from small, isolated areas of gum disease to the most severe cases. When you are diagnosed, Dr. Haywood meets with you to develop your individual treatment plan.

1. Measure and test. The hygienists check your gums with careful measurements, and oral DNA testing can identify which of the 11 most suspected periodontal pathogens are present, so your condition can be treated more accurately. Learn about the dental technology used.
2. Remove the bacteria. Non-surgical scaling and root planing, a deep cleaning, clears harmful bacteria from beneath the gums. Depending on your plan, treatment may add ultrasonic and anti-microbial irrigation, site-specific antibiotics such as Arestin or Atridox, and laser therapy.
3. Keep it under control. Periodontal maintenance and regular hygiene visits keep gum infection in check. The practice strives for zero bleeding and zero infection.

Ninety-eight percent of the practice’s periodontal therapy is non-surgical and comfortable. For patients who prefer a holistic approach, laser and ozone therapy clear bacteria and infection from the gums without chemicals, which tends to mean faster healing. See gum disease treatment in Timonium and holistic dentistry.

Paying for gum care

The practice is out of network with all dental insurance providers. You pay at the time of your visit, and the office files the claim on your behalf so your plan can reimburse you for whatever it covers. Health savings and flex plans are welcome, and financing is available through CareCredit, with no-interest options for up to 12 months, and Cherry, with plans from 3 to 24 months. See financing options.

Frequently asked questions

What does stage 1 gum disease look like?

Early gum disease, or gingivitis, usually looks like gums that are slightly red or swollen along the edges and bleed when you brush or floss. It is often painless. Treatment can control and even reverse this early stage.

Can a dentist cure gum disease?

Early gum disease can be controlled and even reversed. More advanced gum infection that is caught and treated as a serious infection can be managed and controlled, but it is never completely cured, which is why ongoing periodontal maintenance matters.

How is gum disease repaired?

Treatment starts by removing the bacteria causing the infection, usually with non-surgical scaling and root planing, sometimes with site-specific antibiotics or laser therapy added. Regular follow-up care then creates an environment for the gums and bone to heal and helps prevent further damage.

Do bleeding gums always mean gum disease?

No. Brushing too hard, starting to floss again after a break, some medications and hormonal changes can also make gums bleed. Bleeding that keeps coming back is still worth an exam.

Noticed a warning sign? Get your gums checked

If any of these signs sound familiar, don’t wait for them to get worse. Request an appointment or call (410) 453-9399. The office of Dr. Steven W. Haywood, DDS is at 108 W Timonium Rd, Ste 200, Timonium, MD 21093, serving Timonium, Towson, Pikesville, Baltimore and the surrounding communities. New patients are always welcome.