What is Gum Disease?

What exactly is gum disease? Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gingiva or gum tissue. It is characterized by redness, swelling, pain, and loss of the ability to produce saliva. In serious cases, periodontitis can destroy the gingiva and other parts of the mouth. Gum disease is caused by bacteria that occur naturally in our mouths. The bacteria attack the gum tissues when plaque collects in between them and when the tissue is unable to contract and fall down after brushing and flossing.

What is gumline inflammation? Gingivitis is inflammation of the gingiva or gumline. Gumline is the area of the uppermost layer of the gum, supporting the deeper gum tissues that connect to the bones of the jaw. Gumline disorders may cause serious dental health problems and affect more than just the gum.

What are the symptoms of gum disease? The most common gum disease symptoms include bleeding gums, swollen, puffy, or sore gums. Symptoms of periodontitis include tooth loss, abscess formation, periodontitis, and loosened teeth. However, you may not have all of the symptoms or experience all of the symptoms of both conditions. Therefore, it is very important to have your dentist check your mouth for signs of these disorders so treatment can be started immediately.

What causes inflammation? Plaque is food that builds up in between the teeth and along the gumline. This often occurs with poor oral hygiene, such as poor brushing and flossing. The bacteria found naturally in the mouth cause inflammation of the gingiva or gumline when they digest the food particles that become trapped between the teeth.

How is periodontitis caused? There are many possible causes of this type of dental disease. One of the primary causes is poor dental care. The bacteria from the mouth is able to travel through gums to other areas of the body if oral health is not maintained. This can then be picked up by periodontists who then help treat the condition. If periodontists fail to maintain proper oral health, gum disease progresses.

Do patients get heartburn and bleeding gums? Other conditions which can make periodontal pockets more swollen include diabetes, tobacco use, poor oral hygiene, viral infections, and poor immune function. Patients who are suffering from heartburn and bleeding gums are not necessarily suffering from periodontitis. These individuals should speak to their dentist if they have these types of symptoms.

What are the warning signs of gum disease? Typically, this condition will not cause any pain to begin with. However, some common symptoms that are noticed include swelling on the area of treatment, rapid weight loss, severe pain and bleeding gums, and difficulty swallowing. A dentist may also notice white or yellow spots on the tissue. Any of these symptoms indicates that treatment is necessary. If a patient notices any of these symptoms, they should contact a periodontist immediately.

Will my gums swell? As discussed above, most people suffering from swollen gums are not suffering from periodontal disease. However, it is still important to visit a dentist for any swollen gums. Bleeding gums are another sign that gum disease could be progressing.

Can my breath get worse? Bad breath is an embarrassing problem. It causes you to want to avoid social situations, and many times it can actually get you fired from your job. If you have constant bad breath, it could be due to periodontal disease. Visit your dentist as soon as you suspect bad breath. Left untreated, bad breath can lead to heartburn, which leads to more problems.

What can I do for periodontitis prevention? The easiest way to prevent having this disease is to make sure that you regularly brush your teeth, floss and use a mouthwash. If you have gingivitis, you will need to visit your dentist to receive special treatment. Most of the time they will prescribe a mouth rinse to help keep bacteria from building up in your mouth.

Can I get any other health problems besides oral infections? Yes, gum disease is one of the leading causes of jaw pain, loss of tooth and even bone loss. If you have a poor bite or wear dentures, you can suffer from other mental health problems. Other oral conditions include: caries, fillings, periodontitis, gingivitis, and periodontitis.

What are the symptoms of periodontitis? Some of the most common symptoms of periodontitis include a swollen, red gums. Bacteria can also grow under the gumline causing pockets to form beneath the teeth. If the pocket expands, it can push on the nerves and cause pain. Other symptoms include gum swelling and soreness. Visit your dentist as soon as you suspect gum disease.