Gum disease is a shared dental issue among adults. The great news is that with proper dental care and right dental habits at home, gum disease can almost always be prevented. Gum disease can be reversed and eliminated in its early stages when treated.
Gum disease can start at any age. It often develops slowly and without discomfort. By the time the candidate is aware of it, the danger of losing teeth is a possibility. Healthy gums and bone are what hold teeth in place. The area just below the rim of the gums where the gums are connected is called the point of attachment. Gum disease attacks this point of attachment and can begin when plaque, a white and tacky substance that contains bacteria, develops on the gums and teeth. Plaque forms daily and if it is not eliminated by brushing and flossing it hardens into tartar.
Tartar cannot be removed by brushing and flossing alone and can lead to chronic infection at the point of attachment. Tartar has a rough surface, so in addition to frustrating gum tissue, it can also lead to additional plaque accumulation.
The most significant steps to sustain healthy gums and teeth are to care for the teeth and have regular dental checkups. Brush the teeth at least twice daily to remove plaque and floss once time a day. An antimicrobial mouth rinse used in combination with brushing and flossing will decrease the bacteria in the mouth. If gum disease, brushing, and flossing are even more vital. See a dentist regularly to have the gums and teeth checked. This professional will clean your teeth to remove tartar build-up.
In its first stages, gum disease is called gingivitis. Gums may bleed and have a red color when brushing, but otherwise, no symptoms may be noticeable. At this point, the gum disease can be reversed with excellent dental care. If not treated, the gingivitis will get worse and start bleeding from the gums when eating harder foods, such as apples. As gingivitis progresses, an infection matures at the point of attachment. The results of this infection are puffy gums, traces of blood on the toothbrush, or a change of color in the gums.
If the gum disease is severe, the dental professional may refer the candidate to a specialist called a periodontist. A periodontist has additional education in treating gum disease and can either stop new tooth and bone loss or, in some cases, return the bone and gum tissue.
To learn more about gum disease prevention, please visit the website or call for an appointment.
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