Gum disease is a bacterial inflammation of the gum line. There are three stages of gum disease including gingivitis, periodontitis and advanced periodontitis. It may not be immediately obvious that you have gum disease because it can be painless. If you have tender or bleeding gums, receding gums or persistent bad breath you may be developing gum disease.
The mouth is full of bacteria that will gradually form a sticky substance called plaque. Brushing and flossing help remove plaque, but it is not possible to remove it all. The plaque that is not removed turns into a hard substance called tartar that can only be removed with a professional cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist.
When plaque and tartar are left on the teeth, they begin
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• Hormonal changes in women can cause gums to be extra sensitive and more susceptible to gingivitis.
• Some treatments for other diseases such as cancer, may negatively affect the gums making them more susceptible to gum disease.
• Any medication that reduces the flow of saliva, can contribute to gum disease.
• Genetics also play a part because some people may be more prone to gum disease than others may.
During a consultation with our specialist, you may be asked about your medical history to find any risk factors or underlying conditions that may contribute to gum disease. Our expert will examine your gums for any sign of gum disease and check to see if any pockets have developed in your gums. The test for pockets is painless. We may take an x-ray to check for bone loss. The first goal is to control the infection.
If you have the beginnings of gingivitis, you may be able to have healthy gums again with regular and proper brushing and flossing as well as regular professional cleanings. If you think you may be developing gum disease, the sooner you get it treated, the less damage will be
Chronic gingivitis is a continuous inflammation of the gums. A gingival bleeding on probing is a sign of active gingival disease. Even if affected from gingivitis sometimes gums appear normal and there is rarely any pain. There are primary and secondary causes of the chronic gingivitis. The primary cause is caused by poor oral hygiene and irritation from the enzymes which inflame the tissues. Secondary cause is caused by malposition of the teeth and overhanging fillings (Ann Felton 2007).
It¡¯s estimate that thirty percent of people with periodontal disease were genetically susceptible. Exposure may also play a role in contracting the disease. People have contracted it from their partners. Pregnancy plays a role as well because when women are pregnant their bodies are generally more susceptible. A pregnant woman¡¯s gums are also extremely sensitive. Other common contributing factors are stress, types of medications a person has taken (oral contraceptives and anti-depressants), diabetes, poor nutrition and bruxism (clenching and grinding your teeth). These factors can be changed or properly maintained in order to stop contributing to the periodontal disease. It is also important to note that these factors cannot be blamed for the main cause of this disease.
Also commonly referred to as Gingivitis, gum disease is a contagious bacterial infection that not only affects your mouth ecology, but that can have pronounced effects on your overall health. Locally, it can be responsible for eroding and destroying your gums, and in more advanced stages it can lead to tooth loss and even jawbone erosion. Still, left untreated, the inflammation from the bacterial infection can even lead to a variety of ailments ranging from increased allergies to cancer.
As stated by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, “Each year, more than 30,000 new cases of cancer of the oral cavity and pharynx are diagnosed and over 8,000 deaths due to oral cancer occur.” (CDC). Most adults are unaware that they have periodontal disease or gum disease, this occurs because they do not maintain routine checkups with their dentist. When we insert food and other bacteria into our mouths, it affects our teeth and gums. We need routine dental checkups and cleanings throughout our lives. Dental checkups usually involve x-rays, cleanings, and the examination of the mouth.
If you suspect you have gum disease, you should see your dentist as soon as you can. Early treatment is important because that's when the condition can be reversed with fairly simple forms of treatment. You should be concerned you have gum disease when your gums bleed easily, and they look red or inflamed. Your dentist can quickly confirm the diagnosis and begin the right treatment. These are some of the things he or she may recommend.
When gum disease progresses, pockets of infection form at the base of your teeth. This causes your gums to pull away and your teeth to get loose. The infection can even go all the way into your bone. The only way to clear out the infection is to pull back your gum tissue so the deep portions of your teeth can be reached and cleaned.
Many people have experienced periodontal disease, which is a disease of the gums and surrounding tissues. These conditions include gingivitis and periodontis and can be treated with good hygiene and proper dental care. Black gum disease, or necrotizing periodontal disease, however, is an uncommon but serious form of gum disease that requires immediate treatment. The disease kills the gums, tissues and bones that surround the teeth and can be indicative of serious health problems.
Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gum tissues surrounding the teeth. If left untreated, gingivitis can lead to periodontitis, an advanced gum disease. Gingivitis can sometimes be painless and therefore people may be unaware they have
Periodontal disease can lead you to lose all of your teeth. The mouth is the gateway to the rest of the body; it can be the entering passage between healthy and sick. The moment an infection grows in the mouth, the entire body automatically starts to try to fight it. “…due to significant findings supporting the association between periodontal disease and systemic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and osteoporosis” (Amar and Kim). It has been suggested that the bacteria of this infection may enter the bloodstream and attach themselves to the blood vessels which then increase clot formation. These clots then lower the blood flow to the heart indicating that a heart attack is a common consequence of gum
Gum disease starts with bacteria invading the mouth. It can eventually result in tooth loss because of the receding tissue that surrounds the teeth and loosens the teeth. Serious gum disease is preceded by gingivitis, which can be identified by inflamed and bleeding gums. It is important to know that gingivitis can be reversed and can heal completely by keeping up with brushing and flossing.
Millions of Americans suffer from excruciating tooth pain every single day. They have cavities. They have stains on their teeth. They avoid smiling. They can even have bad breath, which is a sign that your teeth or your mouth is unhealthy. Some Americans are walking around with gum disease. Gum disease is an infection in your mouth. It’s the gums and the bones infected and you’re walking around everyday with an infection, which can cause lots of other health problems all over your body because you’re not paying attention to your teeth. On oralb.com, I read that “gum disease is linked to heart attacks and stroke.” Now maybe you’re one of the many Americans who avoids the dentist at all costs. You’re saying, “Oh I brush my teeth twice or three times a day”, “I
A medical and dental history will be taken. Your mouth, teeth, and gums will be examined. Your dentist will look for soft, swollen purple-red, irritated gums. There may be deposits of plaque and tartar at the base of the teeth. Your gums will be looked at for the degree of redness, puffiness, and bleeding tendencies. Your dentist will see if any of the teeth are loose. X-rays may be taken to see if the inflammation has spread to the supporting structures of the teeth.
A particularly common misconception is that it will be easy to tell whether or not you are being afflicted with this condition, but gum disease may not be readily noticeable to the patient until it has become
Many people realize the importance of taking care of their teeth due to the immediate consequences of cavities, but it’s easy to underestimate the importance of having healthy gums. Signs of periodontal disease, often referred to as gum disease, may not be noticeable until the infection has occurred. These are three warning signs that your oral health problems are due to periodontal disease.
Because the gums separate themselves from the teeth, this causes spaces between the teeth and gums, and they will become infected. As the disease advances, the pockets deepen and more gum tissue and bone are destroyed. Eventually, teeth can become loose and may have to be removed. This gum disease is one of the main causes of tooth loss in adults and has also been linked to heart disease and strokes. Gingivitis can be prevented by practicing good oral hygiene, but if it is not treated may lead to periodontal disease.