Gum disease is an inflammation of the gums that can progress to affect the bone that surrounds and supports your teeth.
The bacteria cause it in plaque, a sticky, colourless film that constantly forms on your teeth. If not removed through daily brushing and flossing, plaque can build up and the bacteria infect not only your gums and teeth, but eventually the gum tissue and bone that support the teeth. This can cause them to become loose, fall out or have to be removed by a dentist.
There are three stages of gum disease:
Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease, an inflammation of the gums caused by plaque build-up at the gumline. If daily brushing and flossing do not remove the plaque, it produces toxins (poisons) that can irritate the gum tissue, causing gingivitis. You may notice some bleeding during brushing and flossing. At this early stage in gum disease, damage can be reversed, since the bone and connective tissue that hold the teeth in place are not yet affected. Healthy Gums Lower Stoke, The Post Office Dental Practice
Periodontitis: At this stage, the supporting bone and fibres that hold your teeth in place are irreversibly damaged. Your gums may begin to form a pocket below the gumline, which traps food and plaque. Proper dental treatment and improved home care can usually help prevent further damage.
Advanced Periodontitis: In this final stage of gum disease, the fibres and bone supporting your teeth are destroyed, which can cause your teeth to shift or loosen. This can affect your bite and, if aggressive treatment can’t save them, teeth may need to be removed.
How Do I Know if I Have Gum Disease?
Gum disease can occur at any age, but it is most common among adults. If detected in its early stages, gum disease can be reversed – so see your dentist if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- Gums that are red, puffy or swollen, or tender
- Gums that bleed during brushing or flossing
- Teeth that look longer because your gums have receded
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- Gums that have separated, or pulled away, from your teeth, creating a pocket
- Changes in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
- Pus coming from between your teeth and gums
- Constant bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth
How is Gum Disease Treated?
Proper brushing and flossing can often reverse the early stages of gum disease. Good oral health will also help prevent plaque from building up.
Professional cleaning by your dental professional is the only way to remove plaque that has built up and hardened into tartar. Your dental professional will clean or “scale” your teeth to remove the tartar above and below the gum line. If your condition is more severe, a root planing procedure may be performed. Root planing helps to smooth irregularities on the roots of the teeth making it more difficult for plaque to deposit there.
By scheduling regular checkups, early-stage gum disease can be treated before it leads to a much more severe condition. If your condition is more advanced, treatment will be required.
Healthy Gums – Healthy gums are firm and don’t bleed. They fit snugly around the teeth.
Gingivitis – Gums are mildly inflamed, may appear red or swollen and may bleed during brushing
Periodontitis – Gums begin to separate and recede from the teeth. This allows plaque to move toward the roots, supporting fibres and bone.