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.