Checking Your Gums

Check your gums on a regular basis for these signs of gum disease:

·a change in the colour of your gums

·gums that are red around your teeth

·gums that bleed every time you brush or floss

·bad breath that will not go away

·a taste of metal in your mouth

·shiny, puffy or sore gums

·teeth that are sensitive for no reason

These are all good reasons to see your dentist right away. Gum disease is one of the main reasons why adults lose their teeth. But the good news is gum disease can almost always be prevented. If it starts, it can be treated and can even be turned around (or reversed) in its early stages.

If gum disease is not treated, you can have gums that are always sore, red and puffy, get a painful infection (called an abscess) in the area between your teeth and gums or lose your teeth.

Without enough gum tissue and bone to hold your teeth in place, they can become loose and fall out. Nobody wants to have these things happen. With regular care, they won't.