Gum disease causes and symptoms

Gum Disease and the Causes
As part of our goal to bring you the latest information in dental hygiene and oral health care we are presenting a three-part series on gum disease and gum care. Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is caused by the hardening of plaque on our teeth due to improper cleaning through routine at-home dental care and professional cleanings. Plaque is composed of bacteria that hardens on teeth and eventually turns into tartar that brushing alone cannot clean. The problem is very common and can cause issues such as gum inflammation to serious diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, respiratory diseases, pregnancy problems as well as tooth loss.

Stages of Gum Disease
Gingivitis- Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease and can usually be reversed with daily brushing and flossing, and regular cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist. It is caused by the prolonged staying power of bacteria on our teeth that is not removed. This bacteria causes inflammation of the gums and causes them to become red, swollen and bleed easily. It is usually caused by poor oral hygiene and often goes unnoticed because many people may not experience pain or discomfort at this stage.
Periodontitis- When gingivitis goes untreated it can lead to periodontitis. This occurs when the plaque spreads below the gum line and the toxins contained begin to irritate the gums. This causes the body’s immune system to react in such a way that it turns on itself and can cause the bone that support the teeth to be broken down and destroyed. When this occurs the gums pull away from the teeth and form pockets that become infected. Eventually this can lead to teeth that become loose and will have to be removed. This often results in the need of dental implants or dentures.

Symptoms of Gum Disease
If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, be sure to contact your dentist so that they can perform an evaluation.

• Persistent Bad breath
• Red or swollen gums
• Tender or bleeding gums
• Pain when chewing
• Loose teeth
• Sensitive teeth
• Receding gums or longer appearing teeth

Tune in for the second of the three part series when we discuss Gum Disease Treatment.