Gum disease is also called periodontitis and affects the gums. It is caused by a buildup of plaque bacteria, usually because of a lack of oral hygiene in Newcastle. Gum disease can destroy your gum tissue and the bone around your teeth, eventually causing tooth loss. Over half of the adult population will suffer from some form of gum disease at some point during their life, but because early gum disease is usually painless, you may be unaware you have a problem until it worsens.
Unfortunately, when gum disease progresses, it’s a much harder problem to treat and causes complications such as bleeding gums that look red and swollen and feel tender to touch. The bacteria that cause this disease can migrate from the mouth directly into the bloodstream via bleeding gums, potentially causing problems affecting the heart, lungs and kidneys. Advanced gum disease has been linked to serious health problems, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, respiratory diseases, dementia and rheumatoid arthritis.
Different Types of Gum Disease
The early stage of gum disease is called gingivitis, and one of the first signs is noticing your gums bleed when you brush or floss them. However, smokers may not notice this symptom because smoking constricts the blood vessels in the gums, making them less likely to bleed when infected. Gingivitis doesn’t cause permanent damage, but if left untreated, it progresses into periodontitis, a much more serious form of gum disease in Clarington.
What Causes Gum Disease?
The bacteria that cause gum disease are found in dental plaque, a sticky biofilm that builds up over your tooth surfaces between brushing and flossing. These bacteria infect and inflame the gums. Plaque begins to re-form in a matter of minutes after you brush. Provided you brush your teeth regularly and thoroughly, you will remove most plaque, but if you fail to brush regularly or properly, plaque will build up over your teeth and, if not removed, soon hardens into tartar or calculus. Calculus is a hard crusty substance that must be scaled or scraped away from your teeth during a professional dental cleaning in Courtice.
While poor oral hygiene is often a major contributor to gum disease, other conditions can increase the risk of developing periodontitis. These include smoking, taking certain medications, especially those that create dry mouth, where not enough saliva is produced to keep the mouth clean and fresh. Diabetes and HIV AIDS can increase the chances of developing gum disease, as can medical treatments like chemotherapy. Hormonal changes are another factor, and especially during puberty, pregnancy and menopause.
Preventing Gum Disease
Although gum disease is a serious condition, it is preventable. It is one of the major reasons we suggest everybody visits West Bowmanville Family Dental for regular checkups and hygiene appointments. Regularly seeing a dentist allows us to monitor your dental health closely. Even if you miss the first signs of gum disease, you can be sure we will quickly detect any changes and provide appropriate treatment promptly and hopefully well before any permanent damage occurs.
Professional dental cleanings remove calculus buildup, getting rid of the bacteria that can cause gum disease. At the same time, we can discuss other preventive dental care treatments if needed, such as fluoride applications or remedies to help people cope with a dry mouth more easily. Our dental team can also make sure you are cleaning your teeth properly, as even if you brush and floss regularly, you may be missing certain areas, and even small changes to your oral health routine can make a big difference.