Understanding the Early Signs of Gum Disease

Gum disease or periodontal disease is when the soft tissues that cover and support your teeth develop an infection. This gum infection is caused by harmful bacteria in the mouth that can build up over time, forming a substance called plaque¹. If gum disease is left untreated, you may get receding gums, which can allow bacteria to break down bone tissue that holds teeth in place; your teeth could become loose and may need to be removed.² Chronic gum disease affects nearly half of all adults over 30 in the United States.¹

Introduction to gum disease

Gum disease in its early stages is called gingivitis. Common signs of gingivitis include gums that are red, swollen, and bleed easily. However, gum disease may also be painless and can go undetected without professional dental care. Once gum disease reaches advanced stages, it’s called periodontitis and can cause the loss of gum tissue and bone, leading your teeth to become unsupported or even detached.¹

If you catch gum disease in its early stages, it can often be reversed before it becomes periodontitis. Gingivitis can be treated by professional dental cleaning and good brushing and flossing habits. Thankfully, gum disease usually advances slowly and can often be caught and maintained before it causes more serious damage.¹

Recognizing the signs of gum disease

Often, gum disease doesn’t have any symptoms or signs, so consistent dental checkups are an important way to ensure you can catch gum disease in its early stages and get the appropriate treatment.1 However, there are symptoms that could signal gum disease:¹

• Swollen gums, or gum tissue that’s red, tender, or bleed easily
• Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
• Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth that doesn’t go away
• Loose or separating permanent teeth
• Changes to how your teeth bite down and fit together
• Change to how your partial dentures fit

If your only symptoms are gum tissue that’s red, swollen, or bleeding, you may have gingivitis that has not yet progressed to periodontitis. However, if you notice gum recession along the gum line, sensitive teeth, soreness, bad breath, and loose teeth, you may have more severe gum disease, and may be suffering from periodontitis.³

While you may be able to spot the common signs of gum disease yourself, you should see a dentist to get proper diagnosis and treatment.

The importance of early detection and treatment

Given the progressive nature of gum disease, the earlier you can catch it, the less damage it can do. It’s wise to keep an eye out for the early signs of gum disease and maintain good oral hygiene habits, and go in for a dental checkup if you spot any symptoms.¹

However, if gum disease is left untreated, you may get gum inflammation, and your gums could become damaged and erode over time. This can lead to tooth loss because you need healthy gums to keep your teeth in place.¹ And the impact of gum disease can go far beyond your gums and teeth: Research suggests that gum disease contributes to the progression of diabetes, heart disease, respiratory disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease.⁴

Early detection and treatment can help mitigate oral health issues. If left unchecked, severe periodontitis can cause gum recession and damage to the underlying bone, leading to permanent tooth and mouth damage that cannot be reversed.⁵

Risk factors for gum disease

Some people are more at risk for developing gum disease than others. Common risk factors include:⁶

• Smoking: Smokers and tobacco users have a higher risk of gum disease. Research shows that smoking may be the biggest risk factor for gum disease.
• Age: Older people have higher rates of gum disease.
• Genetics: Your susceptibility to gum disease might be the luck of the genetic draw.
• Stress: Teeth clenching or grinding are risk factors as well.
• Medications: Some medications, including antidepressants, oral contraceptives, and some heart medications, are linked to gum disease.
• Other diseases: Some diseases that impact your inflammatory system can also make you more susceptible to gum disease. These include cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis.
• Lifestyle choices: Obesity and a poor diet lacking in nutrients are also risk factors for gum disease. Eating a healthy, nutritious diet can help stave off gum disease and improve gum health.

How MetLife supports gum health and prevention

Given how important regular dental checkups and cleanings are for preventing gum disease and keeping your gums healthy, having a good dental insurance plan can help make consistent dental care more affordable and accessible. MetLife dental insurance plans, typically offered through employers, may include coverage for preventive, basic, restorative, major and orthodontic services. Like with most dental insurance, cosmetic procedures are excluded, and treatment frequency and age limitations may apply.

MetLife dental insurance coverage can help you and your family maintain healthy teeth and gums, and monitor your oral health for gum disease or periodontitis. MetLife also offers an extensive network of providers, including those with the SpotLite on Oral Health designation. This designation is given to in-network providers that meet certain criteria for preventive oral health care.

Preventive measures to maintain gum health

There are effective ways to prevent gum disease and keep your gums healthy, and most of them are no different from the steps you take to care for your teeth. Here are some of the best ways to prevent gum disease:

• Brush and floss frequently. Brush your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and floss regularly to keep plaque from building up on and between your teeth. If you have orthodontics or braces, ask your dentist to show you how to brush and floss effectively.
• Visit the dentist regularly. Keep up with routine trips to your general dentistry office for cleanings and checkups, and X-rays if needed. These visits will help you catch any poor oral hygiene habits, and as well as any early signs of gum disease.
• Avoid preventable risk factors. While you can’t change your genetics, you can quit smoking and make healthy lifestyle choices, like eating a nutritious diet.⁶

Treatment options for gum disease

Early gum disease, or gingivitis, can be treated and reversed relatively easily. Your gum disease treatment may include:

• Dental cleaning: A professional cleaning from your dentist can help reverse early-stage gum disease. 
• Improved oral care: To keep gum disease from developing again, you’ll want to improve your oral healthy routine by brushing and flossing thoroughly and daily.⁷

Advanced gum disease, on the other hand, will need more intense intervention. Treatments for periodontitis include:

• Deep cleaning: Deep cleaning, also called scaling and root planing, is a nonsurgical gum treatment that may be needed to treat your teeth and roots. 
• Medications: Your dentist may prescribe a medicine or rinse to treat your gum disease. 
• Periodontal surgery: Once gum disease is sufficiently advanced, you may require surgical intervention to manage and mitigate the damage.⁸

Your lifestyle choices can help keep gum disease at bay, but professional care is necessary once gum disease is present. Consult with your dentist about any changes you may need to make. Such changes are important for managing gum disease and slowing its advancement.⁹

The role of professional dental care in managing gum disease

Regular dental care is essential to the management of gum disease. While you might see symptoms of gum disease such swollen or bleeding gum tissue, sometimes, there are no outward signs. Seeing a dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings will help ensure that gum disease is caught early and treated appropriately.¹

Dentists will be able to spot signs that you can’t, and they can guide you through the right steps to correct your oral health habits if needed. They may recommend that you quit smoking if you smoke, improve your diet, or offer oral hygiene tips to step up your routine with improved brushing and flossing habits.¹

Professional dental care is important for keeping gum disease at bay. And if you do have gum disease, your dentist will be able to help you develop a personalized treatment plan to manage it.

Gum disease and you

The steps to preventing gum disease are essential to both oral health and overall well-being: Follow a good oral hygiene routine, see a dentist regularly, eat a healthy diet, and quit smoking if you’re a smoker. If you do recognize the early stages of gum disease, you should promptly schedule a dental visit to get a professional opinion and treatment plan.¹

Catching gum disease early can make a huge difference in your oral health and your overall health, and can save you from more expensive and extensive dental treatments down the road.