What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of A Gum Infection?

Posted on Thu, 4 Jan 2018

Question: hello doctor,
this is XXXXXXX from UK XXXXXXX i have always had gum problem for many years .... but now for the past two to three years the problem has shorted up with puffy gums , sensitivity in the upper and lower front teeth. last year when i visited XXXXXXX ( XXXXXXX ) the dentist did clean my teeth and recommend a deep cleaning .... but i did not do it as i was scared that that will increase the sensitivity more ... also i was scared of infection .... i have attached few pics of my teeth and gums please could you tell me what needs to be done now ... also in the bottom front teeth around one tooth ( left side of the mouth) there is swelling and that particular gum seems to be loose not the teeth but the gums .... when i floss or brush that particular region of tooth i feel i can pull the gums .... i am very scared and because of it i do not floss or brush that particular teeth and only use my hand to massage it ..... i have been doing salt water gargling four times a day for the past one month ( no difference as such except for bad breadth which my husband says had reduced 60%).please help me

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (42 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Clear signs of gum Infection.

Detailed Answer:
Hi..
Thanks for the query..

I have viewed all the images and can see there is Infection in your gums.

There are also deposits of plaque and tartar which is a continuous source of Infection.

This cannot be home treated.

You should first of all get deep Scaling done to remove all the deposits.
It will be followed by a course of antibiotics like Metronidazole and gum paint massage.
For sensitivity of teeth use anti sensitivity toothpaste.
Continue doing warm saline gargles.
Do antiseptic mouthwash gargles twice a day..
Chew a Vitamin C pellet as it helps in strengthening the gums..

Please revert back for more queries..

Regards..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Honey Arora (55 minutes later)

hello doctor,

thanks for your reply. can you please explain about this gum infection is it gingivitis or periodontal or any other viral problem i am scared .... also i am planing to meet a dentist in another two weeks time is it ok to wait till then ? i have no other choice .... also i am pretty much scared about the cross contamination scare from dental office. i am always scared about the factor that i might contract some disease through the dental equipment . what can i do to prevent that ? also i forgot to mention in the morning times the inner side of lower lips feels attached to gums like they are very dry or something but i do drink lots of water and do salt water gargling before going to bed ... why is that so

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Infection is progressive to Periodontitis.

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
The Infection is progressing to the supporting structure of teeth as I can already see loss of attachment of the gums leading to recession..

So quick action is needed to stop the infection from progressing further.

2 weeks delay is manageable but the early you get treated the better it is.

For not atleast start doing Chlorhexidine Mouthwash gargles.

Secondly to overcome the fear of cross Infection from dental instruments make sure the Dentist use autoclave method of sterilisation.

Lastly dryness of mouth or inner lips especially in morning is due to mouth breathing habit.
If you breathe through mouth while sleeping you can try to enforce nasal breathing by sticking a strip of micropore tape vertically over the closed lips..
Do only if you do not find any difficulty breathing through nose..

Hope this helps..

Regards .

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vishesh Rohatgi

Follow up: Dr. Honey Arora (19 hours later)

Hello doctor

I have few queries though
1) I have attached few photos of my upper corner teeth which has a black line like tooth decay I don't know but that teeth hurts sensitive sometimes sometimes drilling like pain sometimes no pain what is that what should I do if I am asked to do root canal can I extract tooth and put a crown or something will it hurt ? How long will it take to put a crown on the extracted tooth?
2) I have another tooth picture that I have attached which is the side more closer to the cannin teeth and that gives me the similar kind of pain the gum line is filled with tartar though .... if I am asked to do root canal for the same can I get it extracted and filled with crown or something please advise
3) will deep cleaning give me more sensitivity as I am facing a lot of sensitivity problem in my front upper and lower teeth without cleaning I am petrified about thinking how will the sensitivity be after cleaning please advise

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Doesn't look like decay.

Detailed Answer:
Hi..
The black line is appearing to be due to staining and tartar only..
Not appearing like decay..

But for a confirmation I would need to see an x ray of the tooth..

Sensitivity and pain is most probably due to Infection caused in gums..

If at all it is a deep decay and you are advised root canal treatment then better go for root canal treatment and save the tooth..

Extraction will make you loose the tooth and it is not advisable if not needed..

Deep cleaning can increase some sensitivity but will gradually subside in a week..
Using anti sensitivity toothpaste will help in keeping sensitivity low so you should continue to use for a period of 15 days and switch to normal tooth paste for next 2 weeks..

Hope this helps..

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Honey Arora (2 days later)

Hello doctor,
I have attached few pics of my right side lower set of teeths closer to the canine teeth .... I don't see any tartar or decay in those tooths but the one one both sides of them have a tartar and decay filled tooth ( filling was done 9 years ago) ,,, still the gums hurts a lot and very tender to touch .... why is it so ( you could see the couloir of gums red ) ( the canine teeth is filled with tartar and it hurts and sensitive ( I can understand ) but why these two teeth , I am scared please help

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Can be due to subgingival deposit.

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Many a times if you do not see any deposits on the teeth but still there can be Infection due to deposits present under the gums..
It is known as Subgingival deposit..
So first of all get a Deep Scaling done..

Hope this helps..

Regards..

Note: Find out which dental treatment will work best for your teeth. Ask here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng