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Gum Disease Awareness Month: Everything You Need to Know

gum disease

Table of Contents

Key Points

  • February is Gum Disease Awareness Month, a time to bring attention to the condition and its wide-ranging health threats
  • It is also a time to explore ways to prevent and treat gum disease
  • Understanding the signs and symptoms of gum disease is the first step to combating it.

Did you know that gum disease is one of the most widespread conditions in the United States? According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, it impacts approximately two out of every five adults.1

Even more alarming is that, despite its prevalence, many people do not realize that they have gum disease until it has caused serious damage. The good news is that it is also one of the most preventable and treatable diseases.

Every February, dental health professionals across the country come together to shine a light on gum disease, including symptoms, what causes it, how to treat it, and how to prevent it in the first place. During “Gum Disease Awareness Month,” we here at Wells Family Dental want to equip our patients and community with the knowledge they need to recognize gum disease early, understand what gum disease treatment involves, and take meaningful steps to protect their long-term health.

What Is Gum Disease, and Why Should You Care?

Gum disease—clinically known as “periodontal disease”—is a broad term that includes conditions that cause inflammation and/or infection of the tissues around the teeth. It starts with bacteria that target the gums and the underlying structures that support your teeth. This leads to plaque, a colorless, sticky bacterial film that forms on your teeth every day.2

When plaque is not thoroughly removed, it calcifies into tartar, which adheres firmly to tooth surfaces and can only be removed through professional dental cleaning.

If this bacteria is not removed, it almost always leads to gum disease. Gingivitis is the mildest form. It can result in red, swollen, irritated, and even bleeding gums.

If gingivitis is left untreated, it will likely progress to periodontitis, a more severe form of gum disease in which the infection spreads below the gumline, destroying bone and connective tissue. This stage can ultimately lead to tooth loss.3

Beyond the negative impacts on oral health, research has established strong connections between gum disease and serious systemic conditions, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, preterm birth, and even dementia.4 It is easy to see how taking care of your gums is not just about having a nice smile but protecting your overall well-being.

What Does Gum Disease Look Like?

Many patients who visit our dental office in Morrisville are surprised to learn that gum disease was silently progressing in their mouths without them realizing it. That is because, in the early stages, gum disease can be relatively painless.

Still, there are almost always clear visual signals that something is not right—you just need to know what to look for. Here is what gum disease looks like when it begins to show itself:

  • Redness or darkening of the gums—Healthy gums, by comparison, are firm and pale pink. Inflamed gums often look red, dusky pink, or even purplish.
  • Swollen, puffy gums that may feel soft or spongy to the touch
  • Gums that bleed when you brush or floss—this is one of the most common early signs
  • Gum recession, where the gums pull back from the teeth, making the teeth appear longer
  • Dark deposits of tartar visible at or below the gumline
  • Pockets or gaps forming between the teeth and gums, where bacteria can gather
  • Pus or oozing at the gumline, a sign of active infection

If you notice any of these visual changes in your mouth, it is important to contact our Morrisville dental office as soon as possible. Early detection gives us the best chance of halting progression and restoring your gum health without invasive procedures.

Recognizing Gum Disease Symptoms

While the visual signs of gum disease are important, many of the most telling symptoms are things you feel rather than see. These warning signs include:gum disease treatment

  • Chronic bad breath (halitosis) that persists even after brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash—this is caused by bacteria and decaying tissue in the gum pockets
  • A persistent unpleasant taste in the mouth
  • Tender, aching, or sore gums, especially when chewing or touching the area
  • Tooth sensitivity to temperature, sweets, or pressure, often caused by exposed roots as gums recede
  • Loose teeth—as gum disease destroys supporting bone, teeth may begin to shift or feel unstable
  • A change in bite, or teeth that no longer align correctly when you close your mouth
  • Partial dentures that do not fit as well as they once did due to shifting teeth or bone loss

It is important to remember that gum disease does not always hurt, particularly in its earlier stages. Routine dental exams at our dental offices in Morrisville include periodontal assessments that allow us to measure gum pocket depths and identify signs of disease that may not yet be causing discomfort.

How to Treat Gum Disease

If you have been diagnosed with gum disease, the most important thing to know is that it is manageable and, in its earlier stages, it is completely reversible. Understanding how to treat gum disease starts with knowing the stage and severity of your condition.

Here is an overview of the treatment approaches available at Wells Family Dental:

1. Improved Oral Hygiene and Professional Cleaning

For mild gum disease, the first line of gum disease therapy is often a thorough professional cleaning combined with improved at-home hygiene practices. Our hygienists will remove all plaque and tartar from your teeth and gumline, and provide personalized guidance on the most effective brushing and flossing techniques.

2. Scaling and Root Planing

For more moderate gum disease, scaling and root planing is the gold standard of non-surgical gum disease treatment.5 This deep-cleaning procedure removes bacterial deposits from below the gumline (scaling) and smooths the root surfaces of the teeth (root planing) to discourage future plaque accumulation and encourage the gums to reattach to the tooth. Local anesthesia is often used to keep you comfortable throughout the procedure.

3. Antibiotic Therapy

In some cases, antibiotic therapy is incorporated into gum disease treatment to target persistent bacterial infections. This may involve placing antibiotic gels or fibers directly into gum pockets, or prescribing oral antibiotics to be taken at home.

4. Surgical Options for Advanced Disease

When gum disease has progressed significantly and non-surgical treatments have been insufficient, surgical procedures, such as flap surgery (to reduce pocket depth), bone grafting, or tissue regeneration, may be necessary. In these cases, we will walk you through what the process will involve.

5. Periodontal Maintenance

Once active gum disease treatment is complete, patients are typically placed on a periodontal maintenance schedule—generally every three to four month—to monitor healing, remove new buildup, and prevent recurrence. Staying consistent with these visits is essential to keeping gum disease from returning.

Tips for Protecting Your Gum Health at Home

No matter what stage of gum health you are in, a strong at-home routine is the foundation of prevention. Here is what we recommend for daily gum care:

  • Brush at least twice daily for two full minutes, using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Consider an electric toothbrush for better plaque removal.
  • Floss once a day, reaching below the gumline to clean where toothbrush bristles can’t reach.
  • Use an antibacterial mouthwash to reduce bacteria and freshen breath.
  • Stay hydrated throughout the day, as saliva naturally fights bacteria, and dry mouth increases your risk of gum disease.
  • Eat a nutrient-rich diet full of vitamins C and D, calcium, and antioxidants that support healthy gum tissue.
  • Quit smoking. Tobacco use is one of the biggest risk factors for developing and worsening gum disease.
  • Schedule regular dental checkups—twice a year, at minimum, and more frequently if you are at elevated risk.

Schedule Your Appointment at Wells Family Dental This February

Gum Disease Awareness Month serves as a powerful reminder that your gum health is a vital part of your overall well-being. The team at Wells Family Dental is proud to be the Morrisville dental office that families in our community trust for honest, attentive, and comprehensive care. Whether you are coming in for a routine cleaning or you have concerns about gum disease symptoms you have been noticing, we’re here to help.

Don’t put off the care your gums deserve. Contact Wells Family Dental today to schedule your appointment.

References

  1. P.I. Eke, G.O. Thornton-Evans, L. Wei, et al., “Periodontal Disease in Adults (Age 30 or Older),” National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, August 2021, https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/research/data-statistics/periodontal-disease/adults.
  2. Zawn Villines, “What are the differences between plaque and tartar?” Medical News Today, November 2020, https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/plaque-vs-tartar.
  3. “Gum Disease Facts,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, May 2024, https://www.cdc.gov/oral-health/data-research/facts-stats/fast-facts-gum-disease.html.
  4. May A. Beydoun, Hind A. Beydoun, Sharmin Hossain, et al., “Clinical and Bacterial Markers of Periodontitis and Their Association with Incident All-Cause and Alzheimer’s Disease Dementia in a Large National Survey,” Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32280099/.
  5. “Tooth Scaling and Root Planing,” Cleveland Clinic, December 2024, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/23983-tooth-scaling-and-root-planing.
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