Take a Good Look at Your Gums

Print on Demand

Plaque buildup, crooked teeth, illness, poorly fitting dentures, trapped food particles, and certain medications can irritate or destroy your gums. With good oral hygiene, however, you can prevent gum (periodontal) disease. If caught in the early stages, gum disease is easily treated. If ignored, the gums and supporting tissues wither, and your teeth may loosen and fall out.

 

Knowing the signs and symptoms of periodontal disease is important for early treatment. Pay attention to the following:

•  Swollen red gums that bleed easily (a condition called gingivitis).

•  Teeth that are exposed at the gum line (a sign that gums have pulled away from the teeth).

•  Permanent teeth that are loose or separate from each other.

•  Bad breath and a foul taste in the mouth.

•  Pus around the gums and teeth.

This website is not meant to substitute for expert medical advice or treatment. Follow your doctor’s or health care provider’s advice if it differs from what is given in this guide.

 

The American Institute for Preventive Medicine (AIPM) is not responsible for the availability or content of external sites, nor does AIPM endorse them. Also, it is the responsibility of the user to examine the copyright and licensing restrictions of external pages and to secure all necessary permission.

 

The content on this website is proprietary. You may not modify, copy, reproduce, republish, upload, post, transmit, or distribute, in any manner, the material on the website without the written permission of AIPM.