Gum Disease Symptoms

Quick Glance: Common Gum Disease Symptoms

Common symptoms of gum disease include:

• Red or swollen gums

• Bleeding while brushing or flossing

• Tender or sore gums

• Persistent bad breath

• Gums pulling away from the teeth

• Sensitive teeth

• Pain or discomfort while chewing

• Loose teeth or a change in the way the teeth meet

Gum recession can make teeth appear longer because more of the tooth surface becomes exposed.

Gum Disease Symptoms That Should Not Be Ignored

Occasional gum irritation can happen after brushing too firmly. However, repeated bleeding, persistent swelling, gum recession, painful chewing or changes in tooth stability should be assessed by a dentist. Here are some symptoms of gum disease that should not be ignored:

Why Do Gum Disease Symptoms Occur?

Gum disease commonly begins when plaque, a sticky film containing bacteria, builds up around the teeth and gumline. If plaque is not removed regularly, it can irritate the gums and trigger inflammation, causing redness, swelling and bleeding.

Plaque can harden into tartar, also called calculus, which cannot be removed effectively through ordinary brushing. When inflammation affects the deeper tissues around the teeth, spaces called periodontal pockets can develop between the gums and teeth.

In periodontitis, inflammation can damage the tissues and bone that support the teeth. This can contribute to gum recession, sensitive or loose teeth and discomfort while chewing. Persistent bad breath can also occur because bacteria and plaque can build up around the gumline and within periodontal pockets.

Gum Disease Symptoms That Require Immediate Medical Attention

Emergency medical care is mandatory if you experience the following symptoms of gum disease:

• Severe swelling of the mouth, face, lips, throat or neck with difficulty breathing

• Difficulty swallowing or speaking because of swelling

• Severe difficulty opening the mouth associated with a dental infection

• Significant swelling or pain around the eye

• Changes in vision associated with facial or dental swelling

• Severe facial swelling accompanied by signs of serious illness

Symptoms of Gum Disease Based on Type

The table below presents the symptoms of different types of gum disease: 

Gum Disease Symptoms in Women

Hormonal changes can make the gums more sensitive to plaque in women and may increase the risk of redness, swelling and bleeding, particularly during pregnancy. These changes can make existing gum inflammation more noticeable.

Persistent bleeding, swelling, tenderness or gum recession should still be discussed with a dentist rather than automatically being attributed to hormonal changes.

Gum Disease Symptoms in Children

Children can develop gingivitis, which may cause red, swollen or bleeding gums. Persistent bad breath or gum tenderness can also occur when plaque builds up around the teeth and gums.

Symptoms of gum disease that you must watch for include:

• Red or swollen gums

• Bleeding while brushing

• Persistent bad breath

• Tender or sore gums

• Unusual tooth looseness that is not part of the normal loss of baby teeth

Gingivitis can occur in children and adolescents. Unexplained tooth mobility or other signs of periodontal disease should be assessed by a dentist.

Can You Have Gum Disease Without Symptoms?

Yes. Gum disease can sometimes cause only a few noticeable symptoms in its early stages. Some people may have mild bleeding or redness without significant pain.

Periodontitis can also progress without causing severe discomfort. A person may not realise that the tissues and bone supporting the teeth are being affected until a dentist identifies changes such as deeper periodontal pockets or bone loss.

Regular dental examinations can help identify gum disease changes that may not be easy to see or feel at home.

When Can Gum Disease Symptoms Become Life-Threatening?

Gingivitis and periodontitis do not normally cause a sudden life-threatening emergency. However, a severe or spreading dental or oral infection can become dangerous if swelling affects the airway or spreads towards the eye or deeper facial tissues. Check out the symptoms of gum disease that can be life-threatening:

Severe swelling of the mouth, lips, throat or neck with difficulty breathing requires emergency medical care.

How are Gum Disease Symptoms Diagnosed?

A dentist examines the gums and teeth for signs of inflammation, bleeding, recession and other changes. They may also measure periodontal pockets and use X-rays to check whether the supporting bone has been affected. The following table lists the tests used to diagnose gum disease:

During periodontal probing, a dentist uses a small measuring instrument around the teeth. Healthy periodontal pockets are generally around 1 to 3 millimetres deep. Deeper pockets can be a sign of periodontal disease.