Periodontitis is a silent disease. People with the disease rarely experience pain and may not be aware of the problem. Early stages of gum disease are seldom painful with a few warning signs. Some of the early warning signs are slight bleeding when you brush, gums getting a little soft, gums going from a firm pink color to a more reddish color. As the disease progresses you may notice more predominate signs like:
- Red, swollen or tender gums or other pain in your mouth
- Bleeding while brushing, flossing, or eating hard food
- Gums that are receding or pulling away from the teeth, causing the teeth to look longer than before
- Loose or separating teeth
- Pus between your gums and teeth
- Sores in your mouth
- Persistent bad breath
- A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
- A change in the fit of partial dentures