Have I Got Gum Disease – Symptom Checker

Several symptoms can indicate that you are suffering from gum disease. The most common symptoms are bleeding gums, losing teeth, and becoming longer.

Bleeding gums

Your gums should always look pink. If they start to look puffy and swollen, if they look red, and if they are bleeding – when you bite into food and when you brush your teeth (even gently), and maybe even spontaneously – there is a good chance you have some form of gum disease.

Loose teeth

If your teeth start to become “wobbly”, it’s a sign that gum disease is destroying the bone and gums that support them. Usually, this is a sign of advanced gum disease. As teeth become loose, they can drift apart, and ugly dark triangles appear between them. These are symptoms of periodontitis. Treatment is required to prevent further damage. If gum disease is left untreated, loose teeth can become lost teeth. Treatment is necessary to prevent further damage.

Shrinking gums

Another sign of gum disease is that you notice your gums shrinking (receding), making you look “Long in the tooth”. Receding gums are quite often a sign of gum disease, but not always: they may be the result of brushing your teeth too firmly.

Possible prognosis and treatment advice

Symptoms such as swollen gums red and bleeding gums may indicate that you have gingivitis. Bleeding gums (especially if they bleed easily or spontaneously), receding gums, wobbly teeth, and bad breath suggest that you may have the more severe form of gum disease known as periodontitis. But note that other factors can cause bad breath and receding gums.

In all cases, if you have any of these symptoms, make an appointment to see us as soon as possible. Or ask for a periodontal examination as part of your regular dental check-ups. If necessary, your dentist will refer you to a specialist known as a periodontist.