Periodontal gum disease consists of gingivitis and periodontitis. So, what is gums disease, and what is periodontal disease? The term, periodontal comes from the word periodontis. It means around the tooth. Periodontal gum disease affects the parts around the tooth – the gums, tissue, ligaments and supporting bones. The cause of both types of gum disease is bacteria. Symptoms vary according to whether it is gingivitis or periodontitis.
Symptoms Of Gingivitis
The first onset of gingivitis produces mild and even hard to notice symptoms.
The initial characteristics focus around the gums and the connective tissue. Signs include:
- Inflammation of the gums
- Swelling of the gums
- Redness and weakness of gums
- Bleeding of the gums after brushing
Later indications are more noticeable. They consist, among other things, of
- bad breath or halitosis
- gums may show signs of receding
- Changes in the way your teeth fit together when you bite down or clench your teeth
A continuous build up of bacteria results in the progression of the disease. If you or your dentist do not treat gum disease at this stage, it will progress to the next stage – periodontitis.
Symptoms Of Periodontitis
It’s critical to learn about gum disease. The symptoms of periodontitis reflect the more serious nature of the dental problem. They also indicate the different types of periodontitis.
- Aggressive periodontitis – common symptoms include rapid loss of attachment and bone detachment
- Chronic periodontitis – Symptoms include recession of the gum line, inflammation of the supportive tissue around teeth. Following this is slow progressive detachment and, finally, bone loss.
Causes Of Gum Disease
The cause of gum disease is the overwhelming and progressive growth of bacteria in your mouth. Bacteria take over invading all crevices of your mouth. It becomes plaque then tartar. Why? The answer is usually simple. While genetics and diet may play some role, the major cause is poor oral hygiene.
If you
- Fail to brush your teeth using commercially available or a natural product such as OraMD after every meal or at least twice a day
- Do not floss daily
- Neglect to rinse your mouth or do not use an alcohol-free mouthwash
- Do not go to the dentist for a check up
- Ignore the need to clean your teeth at least once-a-year
The result will be periodontal gum disease.
Treatment
The overall treatment for gum disease, specifically gingivitis, is a good oral hygiene program. Apply it daily and you will stop gum disease from advancing. In the case of gingivitis, you may actually reverse the dental issue. If it advances from gingivitis to periodontitis, you may require some form of surgery and dental repair work, depending on its severity. This is senseless and avoidable when the simple remedy is proper oral hygiene.
Conclusion
Learn to recognize the symptoms of periodontal gum disease early. Doing so will help you avoid miscellaneous cures and treatment. Rely on your dentist to remove the concentration of plaque. Yet, to get rid of the problem, you must rely on yourself. Only you can make sure you maintain a proper oral hygiene program.
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