Periodontal disease or better known as gum disease can be easily missed. Some of risk factors include:
- Poor oral hygiene is the leading cause of gum disease.
- Smoking and Chewing Tobacco
- Hormonal changes – especially throughout puberty, menopause, and pregnancy.
- Medical conditions – such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease
- Medications – which might reduce saliva production, leaving your mouth dry. When your mouth is dry, germs and plaque can spread more easily.
- Nutritional Deficits – especially Vitamin C, could lead to a higher risk of gum disease.
- Crooked Teeth – Crowding makes it more difficult to keep your teeth clean since there are more places for plaque to hide.
- Family History – If there’s a family history of gum disease, it is critical that you visit your dentist on a regular basis to monitor your gums..
- Age – As you become older, your chances of getting gum disease increase.
Research has been done that links periodontal disease with many other serious health conditions that could impact your life which include:
- Diabetes
- Heart attacks
- Cardiovascular disease
- Stroke
- High blood pressure
- Reproductive problems, including infertility
- Respiratory problems
- And more
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the most usual type of gum disease in both children and adults, and it causes your gums to become red, swollen, and painful. Gingivitis is primarily caused by poor dental hygiene, however it can also be caused by other disorders. Gingivitis may be treated; however, if left untreated, the disease can progress to more severe types of periodontitis.
Periodontitis
Periodontitis will initially feel and look similar to gingivitis. Plaque containing bacteria can spread and develop below the gum line, irritating the gums and triggering a chronic inflammatory reaction. Once gingivitis progresses to periodontitis, the damage is irreparable. The tissues (gums) and bone which support the teeth deteriorate and dissolve over time. Periodontal pockets occur, which may get inflamed and accelerate tissue deterioration. Teeth might become loose over time and fall out or need to be extracted.
Symptoms of gum disease
Some of the symptoms associated with gum disease, including:
- Swollen, red and tender gums
- Bleeding gum
- Pain when chewing
- Loose tooth (or teeth)
- Bad taste
- Gums that are pulling away from your teeth
- Gums recession
- Black triangles inbetween teeth
- Sensitive teeth
How to treat gum disease
The treatment of gum disease is determined on the severity of the disease. Good oral hygiene such as brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and flossing daily are important in preventing periodontal disease from developing in the first place. However, regular dental exams are still essential to ensure that any warning signs are detected early enough to prevent additional harm. More severe gum disease requires more thorough treatment. Scaling and root planning are frequently utilised to remove plaque from both sides of the teeth. In more severe situations, surgical operations may be required to remove bacterial deposits beneath the gum line. We also provide Laser periodontal therapy at Willows Dental Surgery, which targets diseased gum tissue while leaving good tissue undisturbed.
