Warning Signs Of Gum Disease

Loose Or Shifting Teeth

Loose teeth and shifting teeth are both signs of gum disease. When the gums pull away from an individual's teeth, they create pockets that aren't supposed to be there. The deeper these pockets get, the more serious and advanced the disease is. Bacteria can grow inside and infect these pockets. Part of how dentists diagnose gum disease is by feeling the pockets to check their size. Since the gums aren't keeping the teeth in place, they begin to loosen or shift. If individuals notice a change in their biting pattern, such as their teeth not fitting together how they usually do, this is cause for concern even if their teeth don't feel loose. Shifting teeth indicate periodontitis is progressing rapidly. The tooth tissue becomes destroyed, causing the teeth to be less solidly attached to the jawbone.

Deep Pockets Between The Gums And Teeth

Gum disease can sometimes lead to deep pockets between the gums and teeth, especially when the disease becomes advanced. The gum and bone tissue are meant to be snugly fit around the teeth. As the gums recede and gum tissue is destroyed, this snug fit becomes looser and pockets form surrounding the teeth. When the gum disease continues without treatment, the pockets grow deeper. The deeper they get, the larger the area in which bacteria can fester becomes. When bacteria get inside the gums in places a toothbrush can't reach, they can cause the gum disease to accelerate even faster. In some cases, the tissue destabilizes to a point where there's enough bone loss that the teeth need to be removed. A dentist or periodontist will typically measure a patient's tooth pockets. To prevent further damage from being caused, the dentist will make a plan to remove existing bacteria and minimize the depth of the pockets.