Gum disease and tooth sensitivity are common dental problems that seem to creep up on you slowly but surely. However, what if we told you that you can catch gum disease and tooth sensitivity early before you incur irreversible damages? At Innovo Dental and Implant Studio, we can give you a comprehensive plan to help you stay on top of your dental health and proactively prevent dental pain and infections.
What Are Some of the Indicators of Gum Disease?
Gum disease occurs in two main stages, gingivitis and periodontitis. Although the symptoms of gingivitis are subtler than those of periodontitis, you can still detect them early. Some common symptoms of gum disease are:
- Bleeding gums – are typically evident when you brush your teeth or bite hard foods like carrots and apples.
- Swollen gums that are tender to touch.
- Mouth sores
- Jaw and gum pain – making regular eating quite uncomfortable.
- Exposed tooth roots – will be noticeable when gums start receding, which means pulling away from your teeth.
- Bad breath – does not go away with various efforts of improving the mouth’s smell.
- Shaky teeth – when gum disease progresses to periodontitis, you may begin to notice changes in the stability of your teeth. They may feel wobbly, start shifting positions or fall off prematurely.
What Causes Gum Disease?
Dentists have identified various factors that increase the risk of gum disease, including:
- Poor oral hygiene – allowing plaque and tartar to build up on teeth’ surfaces.
- Smoking – tobacco usage increases the risk of gum disease.
- Genetics – some families are highly predisposed to gum infections.
- Hormonal imbalances – changes in hormonal structure, common among pregnant women or during menopause, cause an increase in the risk of gum disease.
- Harsh dental hygiene measures – if you use a hard-bristled toothbrush or become obsessed with oral hygiene, you can cause gum recession.
- Orthodontic complications – for instance, your gums may recede if you have crooked teeth or a crowded mouth.
What Are Some of the Indicators of Tooth Sensitivity?
Tooth sensitivity can indicate a different dental problem like dental decay. However, you can detect oral hypersensitivity by considering the following indicators:
- Unpleasant reactions to hot foods and drinks
- Sharp pain and discomfort with cold foods and drinks
- Increased sensitivity to acidic foods and drinks
- Heightened sensitivity to sweet foods
- Pain when brushing and flossing your teeth
What Causes Tooth Sensitivity?
Hypersensitivity can occur due to different factors, including:
- Receded gums
- Chipped, cracked, or broken tooth
- Worn down or thinning enamels – especially as you age.
- Excessive teeth grinding
- Early development of dental cavities
- Dental trauma that damages nerve endings in a tooth
How Can You Tell the Difference Between Gum and Tooth Pain?
Toothaches and gum infections can be hard to tell apart, especially because they are interlinked. When you have gum disease, you may suffer tooth pain. The same is true when you have a toothache. Therefore, your focus should not be so much on differentiating the two but on identifying anomalies in your mouth. When you notice any indicators of infection, sensitivity, or pain, make haste to resolve the matter.
What Should You Do If You Experience Any of These Symptoms?
When you experience any symptoms of gum disease or tooth sensitivity, you should not stay silent. Find a dentist in Tracy, CA, to consult about your oral issues. The good news is that, in the early stages, dentists can do a lot to manage the infection and pain and prevent progression and advancement. However, if you ignore the early indicators of gum disease and tooth sensitivity, you will eventually need emergency dental services in Tracy to salvage your oral cavity. Some of the benefits of visiting a dentist when you have symptoms of gum disease and tooth sensitivity are:
- For an accurate diagnosis – the symptoms you experience might be similar to other oral problems. For example, your mouth sores can be due to gum disease or oral cancer.
- To curb the infection – disallowing progression and advancement.
- Avoid the need for expensive restorative treatments in the future – otherwise inevitable if you have a severe gum infection.