Periodontal disease often develops over a long period of time, as an individual fails to take appropriate care of their teeth through daily brushing and flossing. It can begin with mild symptoms, but if it is not treated, the symptoms can become quite severe, even leading to tooth loss. If you are suffering from periodontal disease, your dentist will let you know and will suggest a course of action so that you can begin to reverse the symptoms that you are experiencing and repair the damage. These symptoms can include but are not limited to the following.  

Swollen Gums That Bleed Easily

Individuals may find that their gums bleed when they brush their teeth, eat hard foods, or bump them throughout the day. There may also be pink-tinged saliva visible if they eat harder fruits like apples or snacks like tortilla chips. 

Receding Gums

Periodontal disease can also cause your gums to recede, making your teeth look larger and longer than they are. There may also be small pockets between your gums and teeth, which can be filled with pus or which can trap food. If you are experiencing these symptoms, your dentist can refer you to a periodontist for additional treatment. 

Painful Chewing 

Another symptom that individuals with periodontal disease may notice is painful chewing. Eating foods that are crunchy or hard can hurt your teeth, as bits of them poke into the pockets between your teeth and gums. The chewing itself can also be painful, as your teeth may not line up precisely correctly and may shift slightly when you chew. 

Bad Breath

You may also experience ongoing bad breath if you have issues with periodontal disease, as there are areas of your mouth that you simply cannot clean. You can't get into the pockets between your gums and teeth to clean, pus and infection build up there, and over time it can smell very bad. Unfortunately, it's quite tricky to clean this out on your own, and you need a professional dental cleaning. 

If you're experiencing one or more of these symptoms, visit your dentist for a full evaluation. They'll listen to you explain what you're dealing with, then help treat it so that you can be more comfortable, be healthier, and have better-smelling breath. This disease will only get worse over time, so it's important to seek professional health when you're experiencing one or more of these symptoms.