Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is often dismissed as a mere dental problem. However, its reach extends far beyond your mouth. This condition can significantly affect your overall health and well-being. Understanding its causes, symptoms, and treatment options is crucial for maintaining optimal health. Let’s delve into the lowdown on gum disease.
What Causes Gum Disease?
There are a variety of factors that can contribute to the development of gum disease. Read about them below so you can adjust your lifestyle or consult your dentist.
Plaque
Even with diligent brushing and flossing, plaque can still stubbornly cling to your teeth and harden into tartar, which requires professional removal. When tartar irritates your gums, it can lead to gingivitis, the initial stage of gum disease. Prioritizing regular and comprehensive dental care can help prevent this issue.
Smoking Habits
If you have a smoking habit, you will increase your chances of developing gum disease. Tobacco reduces your immunity, making it harder for your body to fight gum infections. Plus, smokers often have more plaque buildup, which accelerates the onset of gum disease. Even smokeless tobacco products can irritate your gums and contribute to periodontal disease.
Hormonal Changes
Hormonal changes can significantly impact gum health. When women experience fluctuations in hormone levels, such as those experienced during pregnancy, their gums may become more tender and easily inflamed. Maintaining excellent oral hygiene during these periods is crucial for preventing the development of gum disease.
Medical Conditions
Some health conditions can heighten your chances of developing gum disease. For example, diabetes impairs a person’s ability to process sugar, increasing glucose levels in saliva and creating an environment where harmful bacteria thrive. Heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and even respiratory issues may also be connected to poor oral health.
Hereditary Factors
Finally, your family’s genetics can significantly influence your susceptibility to gum disease. If your parents had gum disease, you’re more likely to develop it yourself.
Genes can influence the body’s inflammatory response to bacterial infections, amplifying or mitigating gum problems. Knowing your family’s dental history can help you take proactive measures, such as regular dental check-ups and enhanced oral care routines, to avoid gum disease.
What Are the Symptoms of Gum Disease?
Now that you understand the causes of gum disease, you might be curious about the common symptoms. Let’s explore them below.
Red or Purple Gums
One of gum disease’s earliest and most noticeable symptoms is a change in gum color. Healthy gums are typically pale pink, so if your gums turn red or purple, it could be a sign of inflammation. Seeking care for this symptom immediately can help prevent the development of periodontitis, where the inflammation spreads deeper into the gums and supporting bone structures.
Unpleasant Breath or Taste in Mouth
You may have gum disease if you have persistent bad breath or constantly notice a bad taste in your mouth. Bacteria involved with infections can produce toxins that emit a foul odor.
These bacteria can also form pockets of pus between teeth and gums, contributing to the unpleasant taste. While mouthwash can temporarily mask these symptoms, addressing the underlying gum issue is essential for a long-term solution.
Loose or Sensitive Teeth
When gum disease causes your bones to deteriorate, teeth can become loose or shift in your mouth. Loose teeth are a serious symptom that often indicates advanced periodontal disease, requiring immediate dental intervention to prevent tooth loss. You might also experience increased sensitivity, especially when consuming hot or cold foods and beverages.
Discomfort While Eating
Experiencing pain or discomfort while chewing can be another red flag for gum disease. But if you don’t seek treatment, the pain can get worse and you will have difficulty eating, affecting your nutrition and overall well-being. Early intervention can help alleviate this discomfort and restore your eating ability.
Bleeding or Receding Gums
When people notice their gums bleeding as they floss or brush their teeth, it may indicate gingivitis. Another symptom is receding gums, which can result in root exposure. This affects your smile’s appearance and increases the risk of tooth decay and root sensitivity.
What Are the Treatments for Gum Disease?
No guide on the lowdown on gum disease would be complete without listing the various treatment options for this condition. Read about them below.
Improved Hygiene
If you have gingivitis, you can address the effects by taking better care of your teeth. In addition to brushing in the morning and evening, make sure you floss daily. Using an antibacterial mouthwash can further reduce bacteria in your mouth.
Dental Cleanings
Professional dental cleanings go beyond what you can achieve at home. As previously established, dentists can remove tartar, even below the gum line.
They can also use scaling and root planing to treat advanced gum disease. While your dentist can take tartar off your tooth through scaling, planing can help reunite the tooth with your gums.
Prescriptions
Dental professionals may also prescribe medications to assist in advanced cases. Antibiotic gels, mouth rinses, or oral medications can reduce bacteria levels in the mouth.
Sometimes, a dentist might place antibiotic fibers in the pockets between your teeth and gums. These fibers slowly release medication over a week to target the infection directly.
Surgical Procedures
For severe gum disease, surgical intervention may be necessary. For example, flap surgery involves lifting the gums to remove tartar and then suturing them back in place, reducing pocket depth and making it easier to keep the area clean.
Bone and tissue grafts can restore damaged bone and gum tissues. Guided tissue regeneration encourages the growth of new bone and tissue, helping to stabilize teeth and improve overall gum health. These procedures aim to restore your gums’ health and prevent further damage.
By understanding the causes of gum disease, recognizing its symptoms, and seeking appropriate treatment, you can protect your gums and maintain a healthy smile. Don’t wait for symptoms to worsen; take action today to ensure your gums and teeth stay in the best possible shape.
One way to act is by seeking gum disease treatment from Pinnacle Dental Associates. We offer scaling and root planning to keep your gums healthy. We also offer other dental services, including CEREC same-day crowns that will restore your ability to chew comfortably.