Signs Your Gum Disease May Not Be Reversible

Gum disease is a serious condition that affects the health of your gums, teeth and your jawbone. If caught early enough, it can easily be reversed. However, the signs of early gum disease, a stage known as gingivitis, are difficult to detect.

Your gums may be slightly red and inflamed, and may bleed when you brush or floss. These symptoms are often mistaken for brushing or flossing too hard. Untreated, gum disease progresses and starts to destroy tissue and bone. When this happens, the damage is irreversible.

Receding Gums

Gum disease causes inflammation of the gum tissue. It also destroys the tissue at the same time. As a result, the gums begin to recede, exposing more and more surface area of your teeth, causing sensitivity and an increased risk of tooth decay.

Periodontal Pockets

Healthy gum tissue sits snugly against your teeth. When the tissue becomes inflamed, it pulls away from the teeth, creating “pockets” that provides space for food particles and bacteria to fall into. Removing debris and bacteria becomes impossible, and the pockets only get deeper as time goes on.

Chronic Bad Breath

Bad breath can be caused by a number of different factors, but it can usually be cleared up with brushing, flossing and mouthwash. However, if food and bacteria fall below the gum line and are not removed, no amount of brushing and flossing will be able to get rid of them. Bacteria continue to reproduce and the food particles rot, resulting in chronic bad breath.

Loose Teeth

Once bacteria have begun to attack under the gums, the structures that support your teeth and keep them firmly planted in your jawbone become weak. As a result, your teeth become loose, and may even fall out.

Bite Changes

As bacteria attack your jawbone, the strength is compromised. The bone begins to degrade, which alters its shape. This ultimately results in a change in the way your teeth fit together.

If gum disease progresses too far, it becomes irreversible. However, while the effects cannot be reversed, they can be stopped. And with proper treatments, your periodontist can get rid of your gum disease and restore the health of your smile.