Any oral discomfort or abnormal coloring can indicate infection. Unfortunately from a detection point of view, gum disease isn’t associated with a great deal of pain, especially in its early phases. Without pain, the majority of people aren’t adequately concerned about their teeth and gums.

You can keep a sharp lookout for PI by being aware of the following symptoms:

• Bleeding is the most common marker of infection. Small ulcers or wounds in the gum pocket bleed with the smallest provocation, such as flossing, brushing, irrigating, or even rinsing and chewing. If you see even a little blood when you are cleaning your mouth, there is a problem!

• Red, swollen or tender gums are an indication of PI.

• Abscesses are swellings or bumps on the gum surface that can either appear suddenly or grow gradually. They can feel hot and/or painful. An abscess always indicates PI.

• Discomfort resulting from inflammation as pressure is exerted on the nerves. Note carefully which teeth are sensitive to pain and whether this condition is constant or fluctuates. If the area is irrigated with an anti-microbial and the discomfort goes away, the source for the pain is most likely PI. However, if the discomfort is a throbbing pain, and cold relieves it, the infection is probably into the nerve, and the tooth needs immediate attention.

• Gums that have pulled away from the teeth are a clear indication of PI.

• Loose, shifting teeth, or a change in the way teeth or partial dentures fit together when you bite, is an indication of PI.

• Persistent bad breath is usually caused by hydrogen sulfide compounds, which are bacterial waste products. It is almost always a sign of PI. One way to determine if the cause is PI is to floss and then smell the floss. If it smells bad, like rotten eggs or spoiled food, PI is probably present.

• Medications can also cause bleeding. Anti-convulsants (dilantin) or hypertensive drugs like the calcium channel blockers (Cardizem, Tenormin) can cause hyperplasia, abnormal overgrowth of gum tissue. Aspirin and most anticoagulant medicines will also cause a patient to bleed more easily.

• Dental plaque is hard to see. Chewing red disclosing tablets, sold at grocery stores and drug stores, can stain plaque, making it more visible. Another technique to make plaque visible is to paint red food coloring on the teeth after brushing. The color left on the teeth shows where there is still plaque.

> return to top