Gum Disease is inflammation of the gums that surround your teeth. Early gum disease is known as Gingivitis. When gingivitis progresses and is left untreated, it can turn into Periodontal Disease. According to the American Dental Association, gum disease is a major cause of tooth loss in adults.
Causes
The main cause of gum disease is plaque that is left on the teeth and under the gums. This is why brushing and flossing is so important: to mechanically remove the plaque on teeth and gums. Removing plaque daily will prevent gum disease and is a simple way to have good oral hygiene. There are factors that increase the risk of developing gum disease, such as: use of tobacco products, crooked and overlapped teeth, diabetes, pregnancy and certain medications.
Signs
Signs of gum disease are red, bleeding, puffy and painful gums. Another sign of gum disease is bad breath. Healthy gums are pink and don’t generally bleed without trauma to the area. If your gums bleed when brushing or flossing, this is a likely sign that you have gum disease.
Treatment
The good news is that early gum disease like Gingivitis is reversible and manageable. It is important to maintain proper oral hygiene care at home by brushing and flossing twice daily. It is also important to keep up with biannual professional cleanings.
However, if these early signs are neglected or overlooked, gum disease can advance to an irreversible stage. When the inflammation spreads past the gums and into the bone surrounding the teeth, this is known as Periodontal disease. This is often characterized by bone loss surrounding the teeth that cannot be grown back. It is irreversible. However, further bone loss can be prevented by incorporating sound oral hygiene care at home. Additionally, it will be important to have deep cleanings more frequently by a dental professional.