What are signs of gum disease?

One of the common occurrences with health issues and our human bodies is that of pain. This is the one sign that is lacking when it comes to the progression and advancement of gum disease. There is very little or no pain as the disease progressively gets worse. There are visual signs that can be spotted in the mirror.

Stage One; Gingivitis

Some of the earliest visual signs of gum disease is that your gums will become swollen and even start to bleed. This first level or stage is called gingivitis. When you brush your teeth and your toothbrush becomes pink you will want to schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. Gum disease is simply caused by plaque on your teeth. If you do not brush as suggested or even if you do and do not brush well, plaque will remain on your teeth. This plaque is a sticky substance that carries bacteria. When left on the tooth over time it will build up and eventually get to your gum line. Once the bacteria infects the gum your first signs are inflammation. As the plaque progresses down the tooth under the gum line you will enter the next stage of the disease, that being periodontitis.

Stage Two, Periodontitis

From the red, swollen and tender gums you will develop a persistent case of bad breath and even a bad taste. Your gums will begin to recede or pull away from your teeth. These then become deep pockets between the teeth and gums only to trap more food and enhance the advancement of the infection. The later stage of periodontitis leads to bone loss and loose teeth.

The Causes behind Gum Disease

A large number of fellow Americans have gingivitis and when caught early the disease can be totally reversed. Once it progresses to the periodontal stage you may be looking at some permanent damage. The disease is caused mostly by plaque left on your teeth. Other contributing factors that can affect your gums are illnesses and what they can do to blood sugars, oral medications and how they can affect saliva, bad habits like smoking or chewing tobacco, poor oral hygiene and a family history of a dental disease.

Treatment

The easiest treatment is to prevent the disease altogether with good oral hygiene. The health industry strongly suggests we brush our teeth well twice a day and floss in some fashion at least once a day. Flossing removes debris between your teeth that the toothbrush can’t reach. With a quality toothbrush and good technique you can avoid ever having plaque and the resulting infection. If your dentist has identified gum disease they will proceed with deep scaling to remove the plaque from your teeth. The deeper the plaque, the deeper the scaling. This process scrapes the plaque from the enamel and makes it smooth again so the surface of the tooth won’t collect the plaque as easily. With an antibiotic prescribed the infection can be reversed and your gums will return to normal.

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