Taking care of your teeth is important for your oral health. However, taking care of our gums is equally and perhaps even more important for our oral and overall health. If left unnoticed and untreated, gum disease can lead to tooth loss and, in some extremely severe cases, also to bone damage. However, early identification can help prevent damage and allows for optimal treatment.
What is of Gum Disease
Gum disease or periodontal disease is inflammation in the tissue surrounding the teeth. Usually, the inflammation comes about due to plaque and tartar build-up, leading to bacteria formation and eventually the development of an infection.
It starts out as painless, barely noticeable inflammation in the gums known as gingivitis. If allowed to build, it turns to periodontal disease, periodontitis, which can cause serious tissue damage and even bone loss.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
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Red tinged or inflamed gums
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Bad breath
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Pain during chewing
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Blood tinged toothbrush – bleeding gums
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Receding gums
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Loose teeth
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Teeth sensitivity
As mentioned earlier, periodontitis is a severe form of gum disease. You can prevent your oral health from deteriorating to the point leading up to tooth loss and bone damage by identifying infection formation during the initial stages.
Treatment
For Gum disease, prevention is the cure. Even if your dentist can identify early symptoms of periodontitis, they will recommend diligently following the recommended oral healthcare routine to manage and treat gum disease symptoms.
In some severe cases, the dentist may prescribe antibiotics and even suggest you opt for a professional dental cleaning to remove plaque and tartar build-up. If the infection has spread deep within the gums, you may even need to come in for root planing to clean the bacteria from the roots of your teeth.
However, the simplest way to prevent periodontitis is by following a proper oral healthcare regime. Brush your teeth twice daily, make sure to clean all corners and crevices. Use floss to get rid of food stuck between your teeth and a good mouthwash to kill bacteria in the mouth.
Lastly, but most importantly, do not skip your regular dental appointments. Your dentist can identify symptoms of gingivitis and help prevent damage to your teeth and bone.
Taking care of your teeth is important for your oral health. However, taking care of our gums is equally and perhaps even more important for our oral and overall health. If left unnoticed and untreated, gum disease can lead to tooth loss and, in some extremely severe cases, also to bone damage. However, early identification can help prevent damage and allows for optimal treatment.