If you go to a general dentistry clinic for your regular dental care, you will stay on top of your oral health needs. In many ways, general dentistry is beneficial to preventing cavities and keeping your gum health in check, too. However, several adults suffer from some form of gum disease and may not even know it, so it's up to you to recognize if you have gum issues or not and then make a dentist appointment to have your gums looked at.

Here are signs you need to have your gums inspected by your general dentistry practitioner. The sooner you get your gums looked at, the sooner you can receive care. Since gingivitis can quickly graduate to periodontal disease, it's wise to have all your gum issues checked out as soon as you realize you have a problem. Check your gums to see if any of the following apply to you.

Bleeding gums

Bleeding gums can be one of the most noticeable signs of gum disease. If your gums bleed every time you brush, not just when you have an extra-firm brushing session, make a dentist appointment to have your gums inspected. Your gums may be bleeding due to a change in hormones, something you've recently eaten that has scraped the gums, or inflamed gums can be the cause. Either way, your general dentistry specialist can determine what is making your gums bleed.

Bad breath

Bad breath after brushing is a common sign of gingivitis and mouth disease. Your gums are responsible for keeping your teeth healthy and strong, and without healthy gum tissue, you risk having infected teeth or even losing teeth. Keep the bacteria at bay by brushing and flossing regularly, rinsing your mouth with water after meals if you cannot brush, chewing sugar-free gum to increase cleansing saliva production, and making regular appointments with your dentist to make sure your bad breath isn't a sign of ongoing or increasing gum disease.

Gum disease is treatable and preventable, but once you have it, you will need to treat the condition for a long time. Your dentist will show you the several ways you can treat the condition once you have been diagnosed, including using prescription mouthwash, having a periodontal cleaning, using antibiotics, or other custom and specialized dental care. If you feel you have gum issues or haven't been to the dentist in a while, make a general dentistry appointment today.