If you’ve noticed a small dark hole in the back of your gum, this isn’t something to worry about (unless it increases in size or causes pain). It’s called Fordyce’s Spots and it’s most likely to be found on your lower lip, but can also be found on your upper and lower gum lines as well. These spots are benign, meaning they aren’t cancerous and don’t lead to any further health problems if left alone.
Gum disease overview:
Gum disease is a common issue that often starts with a small area of inflamed tissue called gingivitis. Gingivitis is typically easy to diagnose and treat, and with appropriate care can be prevented from progressing to other stages. However, if left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontal disease, which has more serious long-term consequences. Common symptoms include inflammation or soreness of the gums or tooth-supporting bones, loosening and shifting teeth or gum pockets (the space between your cheek and teeth), bleeding from the gums when brushing and/or flossing teeth, persistent bad breath (halitosis), mouth sores, pain when chewing certain foods.
Gum disease symptoms:
If you have any of these symptoms, it could be an indication that you’re developing or suffering from gum disease: sensitive teeth or gums, pain when chewing, tenderness when brushing or flossing, bumps on the side of your tongue called hairy leukoplakia. That sensation where things just don’t taste as good as they used to? That might be because you’ve lost some sensitivity in the front part of your mouth because it’s being robbed by pain elsewhere. Even if you have none of these symptoms now and never have any redness or bleeding while brushing, there is a possibility that they can show up at any point in time.
Brush twice a day with special attention to teeth around gum line:
One of the most common oral health problems is receding gums. Oral bacteria can get underneath and create a sore in your gum tissue. This can be really painful and it’s important to treat it with treatment methods such as a deep cleaning, antibiotic therapy, or surgery if not managed properly. To prevent receding gums, brush twice a day with special attention to the teeth around the gums. There are also mouthwashes and other products on the market designed specifically for use around sensitive areas such as these that can help prevent this condition.
Floss every day and go to the dentist regularly:
Not taking care of your teeth can lead to holes like this one in the back molars. Dentists recommend flossing every day and seeing a dentist on a regular basis. Even though they are small, having holes in our mouths is not something we want to happen, nor is it something that we can see without a mirror. Having a small black spot on the back part of our teeth doesn’t seem like anything out of ordinary at first glance. It may only be noticeable when someone is really looking for it and not even worth mentioning when discussing with friends or family, but for many people, these little black marks are the culprits behind their toothache, misaligned bites, cavities, and oral infections.
How do you know you have gum disease?
Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is a condition where there is inflammation in the gums and bone near or below the teeth. It can lead to loose teeth, bad breath, and pain. Some people do not experience any symptoms. Signs you might have gum disease are Redness or swelling of the gums; Pus coming out from under gums; Bump on chewing surface (bone) near tooth roots; Muffled sound when chewing food; Painful chewing; Bleeding Gums. If these symptoms occur often it would be wise for you to speak with a dental professional about your oral health.
Who gets gum disease, why, and how to prevent it?
Gum disease is caused by plaque and tartar build-up on teeth. Plaque is a thin, sticky film made up of colonies of bacteria, food debris, and saliva that sticks to tooth surfaces. Tartar builds up when plaque remains on the tooth surface too long without being washed away.
The most common symptom of gum disease is a severe sensitivity to heat and cold from the air or from sipping hot liquids like coffee or tea. Some other symptoms include swelling or bleeding gums, redness around teeth, tenderness around a tooth with no pain, bad breath, and swollen lymph nodes under the chin.
