More Information on Gum Disease

Gum disease is usually totally painless, therefore it has a tendency to sneak up on people. In fact, many of us may have very slight cases of the disease. Simply put, gum disease is an infection of the tissues that support and surround all of your teeth. You can have a minor case in one spot or it can spread over time and affect a lot of tissue and the teeth.

The Causes

The health industry strongly recommends that each of us brush our teeth twice a day and floss at least once a day. If you do not do these simply oral hygiene measures you will immediately accelerate your possibility to get some level of the disease. Even if you brush poorly you can end up with some gum disease. By not brushing properly you are leaving a sticky substance on your teeth called plaque. Plaque carries bacteria. Over time this plaque and bacteria will make its way down the tooth to the gum line and then below the gum. Infection will follow and only continue to cause problems unless you make the efforts necessary to remove the plaque.

The Types

There are basically two types of gum disease. The first level is called gingivitis which is a mild form and mostly inflammation of the tissue. This form can be easily reversed. If the gums are left untreated the plaque will harden, build up and mineralize into tartar. Now the gingivitis is progressing to periodontitis. With this level of the disease you are threatening the health of the bones, gums and tissue and destruction of those vital elements begins. The American Academy of Periodontology states that over 47% of Americans over the age of 30 have some form of gum disease.

The Warning Signs

When you brush your teeth and the toothbrush has a pink tinge to it that might be the first indication of gingivitis. If your gums start to bleed easily, you can look in the mirror and see that the gums are becoming a darker color, these are indications of gum disease. Your friends and family notice that your breath is constantly bad or you notice that there seems to be a bad taste in your mouth. You can also look carefully and see if your gums are pulling away from your teeth. Loose teeth is a really bad sign which you might feel when you bite down.

How to Treat Gum Disease

If you have any of the signs above you need to see your dentist as soon as possible. Depending on the progression of the disease the dentist will immediately clean your teeth and most likely clean down under the gum lines as well to remove the plaque and tartar. One visit may be sufficient or it may take several. There may be an antibiotic prescribed as well to remove inflammation and infection. This is the perfect time to revisit your oral hygiene practices and create some good habits to prevent this from reoccurring.

More Information on Gum Disease : How do you cure it?