Gum disease is no laughing matter. But sometimes, it can be hard to keep a straight face when you’re faced with losing your teeth.
It’s a scary thought, but gum disease is a serious infection that can lead to tooth loss. If you’re experiencing any symptoms of gum disease, it’s important to see a dentist right away.
left untreated, gum disease can destroy the gum tissue and even the bone that supports your teeth. So if you’re asking yourself
What is gum disease?
Gum disease is an infection of the tissues that support your teeth. It’s usually caused by poor brushing and flossing habits that allow plaque—a sticky film of food debris, bacteria, and saliva—to build up on your teeth and harden.
If plaque is not removed, it can turn into tartar (calculus), which is much harder to remove. Eventually, tartar can lead to gum disease if not removed. Gum disease causes redness, swelling, and bleeding of your gums. It can also cause problems such as bad breath, loose teeth, and even tooth loss. Gum disease is a leading cause of tooth loss in adults.
What are the symptoms of gum disease?
Gum disease is an infection of the tissues that support your teeth. If you have gum disease, your gums may become swollen, red, and bleed easily. Gum disease can cause teeth to loosen or fall out.
The early stage of gum disease is called gingivitis. If you have gingivitis, your gums may be swollen and bleed when you brush your teeth. Gingivitis is a reversible condition. You can usually treat it by brushing and flossing more often and by seeing your dentist regularly for a professional cleaning.
If you do not treat gingivitis, it can lead to periodontitis. Periodontitis affects the bone that supports your teeth and the tissues that surround your teeth. Periodontitis can cause teeth to loosen or fall out.
You may not know that you have gum disease because it often does not cause pain. That is why it is important to see your dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings so that gum disease can be detected in its early stages and treated.
What causes gum disease?
Gum disease is often caused by plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that forms on your teeth. If plaque is not removed, it can harden into tartar, or calculus. Once tartar forms, it is much harder to remove.
How is gum disease diagnosed?
Gum disease is often diagnosed by a dentist during a routine checkup. Dentists look for early warning signs, such as bleeding gums or gum recession.
If you have gum disease, your dentist may recommend more frequent teeth cleanings and may prescribe antibiotic medications to help control the infection. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to treat gum disease.
What are the treatments for gum disease?
The two main goals of treatment are to control the infection and to prevent tooth loss. Treatment can be divided into two phases: nonsurgical and surgical.
Nonsurgical treatments can be effective in early-stage gum disease, where the gums are not severely affected. These treatments include deep cleaning, which involves scaling and polishing the teeth to remove tartar (a hard, calcium-rich deposit). Deep cleaning also involves removing bacteria from below the gum line.
Surgical treatments may be required in advanced stages of gum disease, where the gums are severely affected. These procedures include flap surgery, bone grafting, and tissue regeneration.
Can gum disease be prevented?
Yes, gum disease can be prevented. The best way to do this is to brush and floss regularly and to see your dentist for regular cleanings.
What are the complications of gum disease?
If gum disease is not treated, it can lead to a number of dental complications, including: -Tooth loss -Receding gums -Bone loss -Bad breath -Infection -tooth decay
What is the prognosis for gum disease?
The prognosis for gum disease, also called periodontal disease, depends on how early the disease is detected and treated. In its early stages, gum disease is called gingivitis and can be treated with good oral hygiene and a professional cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist. If gum disease progresses to periodontitis, it becomes more serious and may require more intensive treatment.
If gum disease is not treated, it can lead to tooth loss. In fact, gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Gum disease can also cause other problems such as bad breath, pus around the teeth, and pain when chewing.
