Because gum disease is often painless and requires specific examination procedures to detect it, a patient may unknowingly have it for years. Unless it is in an advanced stage, gum disease cannot be detected with just a visual oral examination. The dentist must perform a special examination that measures the pockets (the space between tooth and gum) with a periodontal probe to discover early-stage gum disease. Other signs of gum disease include bleeding gums, redness of gum tissue, gum swelling around teeth, bad breath, receding gums and loose teeth.
The procedure to correct the problem is short, simple and painless. It is important to detect and treat gum disease in its early stages to prevent tooth loss and disfigurement.