What Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is a common dental problem that is a result of plaque building up around the teeth. The bacteria that remain along the gumline cause the tissue around the teeth to become swollen, red, and inflamed․ If the condition goes untreated, the inflammation can gradually destroy the gums and the bone that supports your teeth․
Plaque is unavoidable; it amasses throughout the day as a sticky film of bacteria, food particles and saliva that builds up on the teeth․ Plaque can be removed at home by regular brushing and flossing, but when it is remains, it eventually hardens and calcifies into tartar․ Unlike plaque, tartar can’t be removed with a toothbrush and must be addressed during a professional cleaning․ When plaque and tartar build-up on the gumline, it can provide a nurturing environment for bacteria that irritate the gums and lead to an infection․
The first stage of gum disease is gingivitis, and the common symptoms of gingivitis are red, swollen, and tender gums that bleed easily when you brush or floss your teeth․ Bleeding when brushing or flossing is often one of the first symptoms of gingivitis. Gingivitis is limited to the gums and not the bone, so prompt attention and improved oral hygiene generally allow this stage to be reversed․
If gingivitis goes untreated, it can advance to a more serious type of gum disease called periodontitis․ Periodontitis is characterized by the infection spreading under the gum line and the gums separating from the teeth, forming small pockets (periodontal pockets) between the teeth and gums․ These pockets can trap food particles and plaque bacteria, making it difficult to clean the area and contributing to the progression of gum disease․
As periodontitis continues, the inflammation can destroy the bone and connective tissue that support your teeth․ If this happens, your teeth can become loose or begin to shift out of position․ Advanced gum disease, if left untreated, can also lead to loss of teeth, if the supporting structures become too damaged to be effective․
Gum disease often does not produce serious symptoms in its early stages, so you may not realize that it is happening until the disease becomes more advanced․ More noticeable symptoms of gum disease include persistent bad breath, bleeding gums, swollen gums, and receding gums
If you want to minimize your chance of having to address gum disease, it is important to be consistent with brushing and flossing habits. You will disrupt plaque from building up on your teeth, preventing bacteria from irritating the gums․ Other risk factors that may leave you vulnerable to gum disease include tobacco use, medicines, hormonal changes from pregnancy or use of birth control pills, and certain diseases like diabetes․
Good oral hygiene practices help keep your gums healthy․ Beyond brushing your teeth and cleaning between your teeth daily, visiting your dentist for routine cleanings to remove plaque is important. Professional dental exams help the dental team monitor your gum health, remove tartar, and spot early signs of gum inflammation․
If you have more questions about gum disease or how addressing it could help you achieve better dental health, make an appointment with the dentist to see your treatment options for gum disease.
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