Gum disease, technically known as periodontal disease, is when your gums and periodontal ligaments become infected. If left untreated, it can eventually lead to losing teeth. It is caused when your body tries to fight off plaque, and it releases various substances that will cause the gums and ligaments to become inflamed. While it is common, chances are that you have signs of periodontal disease without even knowing it. Your dentist can diagnose gum disease, but here is what you should know about it.
Signs
There are a couple signs of having periodontal disease
Gingivitis
Periodontal disease happens in stages, and the first stage will be gingivitis. You'll only have infected gums at this point, which will be swollen, red, and will bleed quite easily. You'll also suffer from horrible breath that doesn't go away with brushing. It will eventually cause bones to recede as this disease gets worse, and even expose the roots of teeth, which will increase sensitivity. You can have issues with bone loss at this point, even if it isn't visible, which can result in tooth loss.
Periodontitis
When the disease gets more serious, it is known as periodontitis. You'll have issues with infected tissues around all of your teeth, as well as receding gums and visible bone loss in your mouth.
Causes
People suffer from periodontal disease due to not practicing good oral hygiene, which is what causes all of that plaque to build up inside the mouth. Certain life stages can also make you more susceptible to periodontal disease, such as pregnancy or menopause. Kidney disease and diabetes can also make you more susceptible, because these diseases inhibit sugar production.
Leaving cavities untreated can lead to periodontal disease due to bacteria collecting in that part of the mouth. Having cavities filled will help keep the area clean and prevent decay from spreading. Overall, flossing and brushing are essential to preventing periodontal disease.
Treatments
You can only manage periodontal disease once it sets in, and curing it is not an option. Treatment will be easy in the gingivitis stage, since a professional cleaning and regular brushing will help prevent it from getting worse. Once it escalates, you'll need a surgery to regenerate the tissues. Tissue will be grafted onto the gums and bones to help the area regenerate, and gum surgery can be used to reduce pockets in the gums where bacteria collect.
Speak to a dentist, like one from Tijeras Dental Service, for more information about periodontal disease, as well as maintenance for ongoing issues with the disease.
Share21 May 2018
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