Risk of Gum Disease

May 25, 2009 | Posted by admin

You know that brushing teeth everyday can help you avoid cavities, but that’s not enough to keep the teeth healthy. You may be surprised to learn that most tooth loss is adults is not cause by tooth decay – it’s caused by gum disease. Gums cover and protect the bone that supports your teeth. This bone is like foundation that supports a building – if the foundation becomes weakened, the building may fall down, even though there’s nothing wrong with the building itself.

Similarly, if gums are not cared for, the bone underneath can become infected and damaged. You can lose your teeth if the bone is not strong enough to hold your teeth in place – even if you’ve never had a cavity in your life.

What cause gum disease?

Gum disease is caused by plaque – a sticky, colorless film of bacteria that is constantly forming on your teeth. These bacteria produce toxins that can irritate the gums and damage teeth.

The earliest stage of gum disease is called gingivitis. This is the swelling of the gums that develops when plaque collects above and below gumline. With proper oral care every day and regular visits to the dentist, gingivitis can be prevented or reversed because no permanent damage has occured.

How does gum disease progress?

Left untreated, gingivitis may progress to a more severe form of gum disease called periodontitis. Common symptoms of periodontitis are red, swollen gums that have started to pull away from the teeth, creating pockets. Periodontitis damages the bone that supports the teeth. Once periodontitis develops, the damage can’t be reversed: only a professional treatment program and an improved level of daily oral care at home keep it from getting worse.

Am I at risk of gum disease?

Yes, gum disease can effect you at any age; however, it most often affects adults. In fact, about three out of four adults over the age 35have gum disease now or have had it in the past.

Your risk of getting gum disease may increase if you smoke or have certain medical conditions. If is therefore vital to keep your dentist informed of your general health.

Can I tell if I have gum disease?

You may have gum disease if you have notice that:

• your gums are tender, swollen or red
• your gums bleed when you brush or floss
• you can’t get rid of bad breath or bad taste in your mouth
• there’s pus from your gumline or between your teeth
• you teeth are loose or separating
• your teeth or dentures no longer fit together correctly

What should I do if I think I have gum disease?

Visit your dentist right away for cleaning and exam. In most cases, gum disease can be reversed or controlled if caught and treated early enough.

Better yet, by cleaning your teeth properly everyday and making regular visit you can help prevent gum disease from ever developing.

But remeber, cleaning your teeth is a two-step process of brushing first followed by cleaning in between your teeth – to get areas your toothbrush can’t reach.

Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: gingivitis, periodontitis, plaque, swollen gum | 1 Comment »

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