Do you have bad breath? Does your teeth often bleed? If so, then you have to pay attention. You may have gum disease.
Take care of your teeth and fight gum disease. Periodontal disease can begin with simple gum infection sometimes called gingivitis, and can cause serious damage to the tissue and bones that protect your teeth.
The first signs of gum disease usually becomes evident for most people beginning in their thirties. Men are more likely to suffer from gum disease than women. Gum disease generally develops from lack of oral hygiene which allows plaque to build up along the gum line. Regular brushing and flossing cleans the food particles from your mouth. Food particles, mucus, and other bacteria quickly forms a sticky, colorless plaque on your teeth. If plaque is not removed it can harden into "tarter" that must be removed by a dentist or dental hygienist.
Symptoms of gum disease:
Gingivitis is a milder form of gum disease. Allowing plaque and tarter to accumulate on your teeth can lead to inflamed gums that may become painful and bleed easily. Daily brushing and flossing along with regularly cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist can slow or reverse the effects of gingivitis.
Periodontitis is severe gum disease and if allowed to go untreated can cause the gums to pull away from the teeth and form pockets of inflammation that can become infected.
Smoking and oral use of tobacco is one of the main causes of gum disease and it can lower your chances of effective treatment. Diabetes are at risk of infection including gum disease. Hormonal changes in women may make the gums more sensitive to gum disease.
Treatment to control the infection varies depending on the degree of infection. Deep cleaning by a hygienist involves scraping the tarter from above and below the gum line and smoothing off any rough spots that may trap germs and bacteria. This method can be performed by water irrigation method or lasers to remove plaque and tartar.
In severe cases where bone loss is evident surgery may be performed to remove the tartar or skin grafts to replace tissue destroyed by periodontitis.
To prevent gum disease, discontinue the use of tobacco, floss daily, brush your teeth twice daily, eat a balanced diet, and visit your dentist regularly for a dental check-up and professional cleaning.
