What is gum disease?

47% of fellow Americans over the age of 30 currently have some form of gum disease. There are mild, moderate and severe versions of the disease all caused by plaque. We’ll take a look at the culprit plaque and then the escalating infection that results from the plaque if not confronted and attended to.

The Cause

The health industry strongly suggests that each and every one of us brush our teeth twice a day and floss at least once. The first issue is the quality of your brushing and even the condition of your toothbrush. Or how seriously you attempt to floss between your teeth. If you do a less than adequate job in tending to your teeth you leave a sticky substance on the surface of your teeth called plaque. Once the plaque reaches the gum line the bacteria in the plaque will begin to infect the soft tissue of the gums. As the infection spreads, the disease will increase.

Signs of Gum Disease

Your first sign of gum disease is that your gums begin to bleed easily. Look at them closely in the mirror and see if your gums are a deeper red in color, are swollen or if they are even tender to the touch. Over time your gums will begin to pull away or recede from your teeth. You will develop chronic bad breath and if not addressed your teeth can become loose.

The Various Levels of the Disease

The initial and earliest stage of gum disease is called gingivitis. At this stage any symptoms are reversible. If the plaque is allowed to increase it will mineralize and become a more damaging material called tartar. If gingivitis is left unattended it will progress to the next stage called periodontitis and now you will begin to experience bone loss and loose teeth. There are other factors that can contribute to the disease. If you smoke or chew tobacco your risk will increase. Some medications can increase your risk as well as some illnesses and even pregnancy.

Good Oral Hygiene Habits

We introduced gum disease as the result of bad oral hygiene or bad habits leading to insufficient care of your teeth. Look at your teeth and gums on a regular basis. Only a few more minutes a day can save you hours later in addressing teeth or gum issues that are solely the result of not giving your mouth enough attention. It is also wise to make sure you see a dentist twice a year. Professionally they will examine your teeth and gums and give you advice on how you can continue to improve your care at home. Annual x-rays can contribute by seeing any damage below the gum surface, not seen by the naked eye. If you have gingivitis it can be reversed by the dentist. Even if you are experiencing periodontitis the dentist can do deep scaling of your teeth under the gums to remove the damaging plaque and get you back on the path of recovery and healthy gums again.

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