These include tender, swollen gums, or gums that bleed, particularly when you brush or floss your teeth; gums that turn a dark reddish color, a receding gum line, pain when you chew, tartar buildup on the tooth surface, and overly sensitive teeth. If you experience any of these, you should see a dentist as soon as possible.
If the gingivitis remains untreated, the infection can spread from the gums into the ligaments and bone that support the teeth. This may cause the teeth to become loose and eventually to fall out, a condition known as periodontitis.
Dentists diagnose gum disease with a combination of an oral examination and dental X-rays. In the examination, they will use a probe to measure the space between the teeth and the gums. In a normal mouth, a V-shaped groove runs between the two, measuring at most three millimeters deep, but if pockets form, the probe will push deeper into the gum tissue, and how deep it goes is a good indicator of how far the infection has progressed. They will then use the X-rays to determine if any of the underlying bone has been lost.
The good news is that you can prevent most cases of gum disease simply by brushing and flossing properly every day.
