gum-health-300x200If you take care of your teeth, brush them twice a day, floss, and rinse with mouthwash, you may expect that your oral health is in great shape. However, even though you do all of those things, you may have some problems.

You can tell a lot about a person’s oral health by the condition and state of their gums. Receding gums, inflamed gums, and even sensitive gums can all indicate that you may have some serious oral health concerns that need to be addressed.

Gingivitis

This is the earliest form of gum disease. The gums at this stage will be red and inflamed. They also generally bleed easily, when you’re flossing or brushing, for example. It is also easily reversible when you take proper care of your teeth and when you visit your dentist for regular checkups.

Periodontitis

This is a more serious form of gum disease that can begin to damage the gums itself and can also cause damage to the tooth structures. If you notice that there are pockets along your gums where they are pulling away from the teeth, this can indicate that you may have a more serious condition building.

The bone and ligament that support the tooth will begin to break down at this point and if you don’t have treatment, you could eventually need to have the tooth removed.

Gum disease has also been linked to some other serious health conditions, such as heart disease, stroke, and even premature births or low birth weight. It could also lead to diabetes, one of the most significantly growing health problems in our modern era.

If you are unsure about the health and condition of your gums, you should visit with your dentist for a thorough checkup. If you notice any bleeding, soreness, or discoloration of the gums, then this could be a sign that your oral health might not be as exceptional as you thought it was.