Caring for your teeth is vital to your health and well-being. Researchers are learning that your oral health is connected to your overall health. Gum disease is one area that you should be paying attention to when it comes to keeping your mouth healthy and happy.

What is It?

Gum disease is also called periodontitis or periodontal disease. These terms may be used by your dentist during your dental checkup, but these are both other ways of saying gum disease. This disease occurs when there is bacterial growth in your mouth. This bacterial growth can result in damage to the tissue around your teeth and tooth loss due to loss of this tissue. Basically, your gum line is being destroyed by this bacteria, and your teeth can become loose to the point they fall out.

Gum disease is sometimes confused with gingivitis or the inflammation of your gums, but it's actually a condition that can come before gum disease in some cases. Not all instances of gingivitis go on to gum disease, but it's something to look for with your oral health.

Signs of Gum Disease

There are a few signs that can happen if you are getting or have gum disease.

Your gum tissue may be inflamed or irritated.
Spitting out bloody toothpaste or straight blood when you brush is a giveaway that something is wrong.
Having a perpetual case of bad breath that doesn't go away when you brush.
The act of chewing can be painful.
Your teeth may be more sensitive than before you developed it.
Your gums may recede down, which makes your teeth look more prominent than previously.
You may even notice pus around your teeth along the gumline.
You may also have infections in your jawline. These infections are usually in between your gums and teeth. Not taking care of these infections can result in the tissue and bone holding your teeth in place to become broken down. This infection can result in your tooth becoming loose or falling out altogether.

Causes of This Disease

Dental plaque is the primary cause. Plaque is the colorless substance on your teeth that can make them feel sticky or gritty. When you brush and floss, you're getting rid of the plaque. Not removing this substance can allow it to harden, which becomes tartar. Tartar isn't able to be cleaned from your teeth with brushing or flossing. You have to have a professional cleaning to remove it. This reason is why regular dental cleanings are recommended, even for people that brush and floss regularly.

There are a number of additional factors that can increase your risk. These factors can include your behaviors, such as smoking or taking particular medications. Other risk factors are health-related, such as it being genetic or conditions like diabetes or female hormone changes. Be sure to let your dental professional know about these factors during your next visit.

Preventing Gum Disease

The best prevention for gum disease is to eliminate risky behaviors, such as smoking, and promote healthy practices, such as brushing and flossing regularly. You'll also want to go for regularly scheduled dental cleanings to keep your tartar to a minimum.

Gum Disease Treatments

There are a few treatments for this condition, and often, your dentist will decide on how to handle your treatment based on how early or late it was caught.

There is a deep cleaning method. This deep cleaning method is called scaling and root planing. It is one of the most commonly used treatment methods. Scaling is removing the tartar on your teeth. This tartar is not where you can reach it, as it's not only above your gum line but also below it. In root planing, any places that are rough where germs may gather are removed. This procedure helps to prevent the bacteria from continuing to be a problem in the pockets around your teeth.
Some dentists are using lasers to remove plaque and tartar. The use of the laser can help to reduce the amount of swelling, bleeding, and discomfort from other deep cleaning methods.
Some medications can be used for the treatment of gum disease depending on your situation.

Are you concerned that you may have gum disease or are worried about your overall oral health? Contact someone on your dental team today to schedule an appointment for a checkup. You'll be happy that you did and your smile will show it.

Related Periodontal (Gum) Disease Articles

The Link Between Heart & Gum Diseases
Inflammation has emerged as a factor that is involved in the process of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD), which commonly results in heart attacks and strokes. While the precise role inflammation plays in causing chronic CVD remains an area of intense current investigation, much more is now known. The good news is that, based on current research, we know that if we can reduce the inflammation caused by periodontal disease, we can reduce the risk for heart attacks and strokes... Read Article

Understanding Gum (Periodontal) Disease
Have your gums ever bled when you brushed or flossed? This most commonly overlooked simple sign may be the start of silent (periodontal) disease leading to tooth loss. Learn what you can do to prevent this problem and keep your teeth for life... Read Article

Diabetes & Periodontal Disease
Diabetes and periodontal disease are chronic inflammatory diseases that impact the health of millions of people. What you may not know is that diabetes and periodontal disease can adversely affect each other... Read Article

Warning Signs of Periodontal (Gum) Disease
This article provides the warning signs of periodontal (gum) disease. Don't wait until it's too late... Read Article

Your Gums & Gum Disease