Gum Disease Symptoms And Their Treatment

The health of gums is as important as that of your teeth. But why is that so? Well, healthy gum tissues fit snugly around your teeth, preventing bacteria and plaque from accessing their deeper areas. Since the area under the gum line is more vulnerable than the enamel-covered part of your teeth, the entrance of bacteria and other germs into it can make your teeth more susceptible to fall out.

So, it is worth knowing about gum disease and how to prevent or treat it.

What is gum disease?

Gum disease, or periodontal disease, has three stages: gingivitis, periodontitis, and aggressive periodontitis. We will discuss all three briefly here.

• Gingivitis: This mild form of gum disease refers to the inflammation of gums. This inflammation is caused by the formation of plaque around the gum line. The good news is that you can treat and reverse gum disease at this stage by committing to a rigorous oral hygiene routine.
• Periodontitis: If gingivitis is left untreated, it can turn into periodontitis, which is a more advanced form of gum disease. This infection contributes to the detachment of gum tissues from teeth, developing pockets to house bacterial accumulation. Periodontal disease at this stage starts affecting gums and bone tissues quite severely.
• Stage three of gum disease is aggressive periodontitis, which refers to the loosening of teeth due to a more significant detachment of gum tissues.

What are the symptoms of gum disease?

Gum disease usually progresses silently. That is why millions of people may not even know they have this infection. The point is how you could know whether you have gum disease if you are unaware of any plaque or tartar buildup.

You can look at a few signs to assess the problem. Here are a few symptoms that can become quite noticeable if you have gum disease.

• Red and swollen gums
• Bleeding gums while brushing or flossing
• Bleeding gums when eating
• Longer-looking teeth due to gum recession
• Tender gums
• Pus buildup between teeth and gums
• Chronic bad breath
• Pain in the mouth

What are the treatment options?

If you have gingivitis, your dentist will perform a deep-cleaning procedure, which is called dental scaling and root planing. The good thing is that gingivitis treatments can reverse the problem.

Periodontitis is when gingivitis is left untreated. The treatment of this infection may involve surgery. Types of surgeries performed to treat periodontitis include a pocket reduction for the removal of bacteria, gum grafting surgery, plastic surgery, and regenerative procedures.

Preventing gum disease

Preventing gum disease is far better than having to go for treatment. The good thing is that it is quite easy to prevent this infection.

First and foremost, make sure to stick to your oral hygiene routine. Brush your teeth twice and floss once a day. Rinse your mouth with mouthwash more often. Replace your toothbrush every three months.

Aside from sticking to a rigorous dental health routine, make sure to visit your dentist every six months for detail oral and dental checkups. Your dentist will also perform cleanings to reduce the chances of infections in the future.