The teeth are designed to last for a lifetime however there has been an increasing percentage of adults who have some form of periodontal disease, also called gum disease.  This is a painful condition that cause tooth loss and correcting it can be very expensive.  This is caused by the bacteria present in the colourless film on the teeth called plaque which then leads to the inflammation and irritation of the gums. This will lead to more serious chronic problems and tooth loss.

During the advanced stage of periodontitis, the gums loosen the teeth and form spaces called pockets which will become infected by bad bacteria. Our immune system will try to fight off bacteria but before that happens, the plaque is already growing below the gum line. The toxins from bacteria and the body’s response to infection will begin to break down the bone that supports the teeth in place. Now, if this is not treated, the bones, gums and even the tissue that support the teeth will be destroyed and may eventually become loose that you may need a surgical procedure to remove it.

During the earlier stages of periodontal disease, only a few signs and symptoms can be observed and some may not even be aware of the problem until their gums become soft and bleed slightly when it is brushed.  As it progress, there are more noticeable and serious changes in the mouth including bad breath that won’t go away, red or swollen gums, tender or bleeding gums, sensitive teeth, receding gums, the pain in chewing food and even loose teeth.

The above mentionedperiodontitis symptoms may be a sign of a more serious health problem and it must be treated properly either by consulting your dentist or using natural remedies to eradicate it. You can ask a healthcare professional about your medical history to clearly identify any underlying conditions or risk factors like smoking that could contribute to periodontal disease. Even though the destructive pattern begins with the accumulation of plaque, there are still a lot of factors that can greatly contribute or aggravate periodontal disease.

You can also check your gums and take note if you have any unpleasant signs of inflammation. You can use a probe, a very tiny ruler to check for any pockets and get its measurements. Typically people with healthy mouth will have a pocket depth of 1 and 3 millimeters so checking it out is very helpful in identifying any gum problems.

Periodontitis is considered to be the most common enemies among any age group. People with this kind of dental problem would be feeling disturbed because of the serious infection that destroys the soft tissue and bone supporting the teeth that would eventually lead to teeth loss if left untreated. Apart from that, long term periodontitis can lead to even more serious health risk including higher blood sugar levels, stroke and even heart disease. Women in pregnancy who suffer from this kind of dental disease can affect the unborn baby and more likely to give birth to premature babies than are women with healthy gums.

Signs and symptoms of periodontal disease may sometimes not visible during its early stage. You may only notice it when your gums become soft and bleeds while brushing your teeth. As the symptom progresses to its next level, you may begin to notice more serious changes that includes receding gums, new spaces developing between the teeth and the gums, presence of pus in the teeth and gums as well as persistent bad breath or bad taste in the mouth and loose teeth.

Generally speaking, there are many types of periodontitis and one may experience problems that are unique to its usual form of disease such aschronic periodontitis which is characterized by its progressive loss of bone and soft tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth. Typically the damage resulting from this type of disease develops less quickly than it does in advanced type of periodontitis.

Periodontitis begins with plaque, an invisible, sticky film that forms on the teeth when starches and sugars in food interact with bacteria normally found in the mouth. Although it can be removed every time you brush your teeth, it re-forms quickly, usually within 24 hours.  Once it stays on the teeth longer than two or three days, it can harden into tartar, a white substance that makes plaque more difficult to remove and that acts as a reservoir for bacteria. Unfortunately, tartar can only be removed by professional cleaning.

Healthy gums are described to be firm and pale pink. But if your gums are puffy, dusky red and bleed easily, it is highly suggested to visit your dentist for check-up. The sooner you speak with your dentist, the better chances of reversing the damage and preventing more serious dental problems. People with periodontitis can be successfully cured with non-invasive therapies. In fact, some people can even get scaling and root planning together with antibiotic therapy. This method is only needed if you practice a good oral hygiene at home.

dental care

If you find blood on your toothbrush, even when brushing your teeth gently, you could be suffering from gingivitis.

This is an inflammation of the gums caused by bacterial growth. It is found between the gaps in the gums and the teeth and on the teeth themselves.

Additional symptoms of gingivitis may include but are not exclusive to a bright red or shiny appearance of the gums, gums that are tender when touched, swollen gums which are abnormally enlarged, mouth sores and bad breath or halitosis.

Gingivitis is a periodontal (gum) disease that is quite varied, and the etiology has been separated into both local and systemic causes which involve inflammation and or infection.

This infection is able to destroy the supporting tissue of the teeth if it is left unattended.

Resulting bad breath from the inflammation is able to cause loss of self-esteem, and in severe cases even social isolation.

There is mounting evidence from medical researchers that gum diseases such as gingivitis may make people more prone to general inflammations of the body, heart disease, osteoporosis, pancreatic cancer, stroke and arteriosclerosis.

The bacterial plaque and calculus (tartar) accumulates in the gaps between the gum and teeth and tartar actually forms on the teeth.

The way to treat this problem is by dental debridement.

This means apart from a normal brushing routine, you seek the professional assistance of a dental hygienist or dentist to remove the plaque and tartar by scaling and root planing.

Although the accumulations of these bacteria may be very small it can still produce toxins which cause gum inflammation.

Over years the build-up of this infection has the effect of causing deep fissures between the teeth and gum, affecting the ligaments, bone and gum tissue that hold the tooth in place.

This loss of supporting tissue can cause the tooth to become loose, in which case it may come out on its own or require removal.

Professional dental cleaning is traditionally performed every six months.  However, in the case of recurring gingivitis inflammation it may be recommended every three to four months, as it takes plaque approximately three months to accumulate and harden as tartar in quantities that require professional removal.

Author:  Scott W.   Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only. If you have or think you might have gum disease or any other kind of health problem, visit your doctor or periodontist for advice, diagnosis and treatment.

One of the most important areas of health is actually dental hygiene. It is so important because it can lead to other diseases in other parts of the body. Gum disease is probably one of the most common forms of oral diseases. It is not only irritating, but can also be difficult to treat if oral health is ignored for too long. So what causes gum disease? Actually, many different things can cause it, but there are also various treatments and ways to prevent gum disease.

Gum disease is a condition that causes inflamed gums, rotting them slowly away, and, if left untreated, then it can destroy the whole structure of the mouth and jaw. Gingivitis is actually a gum infection. Early stages will appear as swollen, red, sensitive teeth and gums, and it can progress rapidly from there. Once gum disease is contracted, it can become a chronic problem for some people. In later stages of gum disease, a puss-like discharge can appear on the gums.

The causes of gum disease can vary. The number one cause is poor dental hygiene. What happens in this case is that plaque builds up from infrequent brushing, and in time, turns into tartar. The tartar is an irritant to the gums, which then causes the swelling and irritation. Smokers are at least twice as likely to get some kind of gum disease. Teenagers, pregnant women and women in menopause are at a higher risk as well. There are many other conditions that can contribute to gum disease, such as high exposure to metals, radiation, poorly fitted fillings, and others.

There are a lot of treatments for gum disease. The treatment method usually depends on what causes gum disease in the first place. Many vitamins are used in treating gum disease, such as vitamin E, vitamin A, copper, folic acid and zinc. These keep the mouth and gum line in good health. Some doctors recommend drinking a glass of warm lemon water every day to avoid gum disease. Liver cleanses are also done. There are many different herbal treatments for gingivitis, such as placing aloe vera on the swollen gums, or brushing with baking soda. Your dentist might advise you to rinse your mouth out with salt water to clear the infection. There are also anesthetic ointments that are used to help sooth the gums. In the worst case scenario, gum surgery must be done to fully erase the damaged gums.

Gum disease is something that is avoided by most people. If you are trying to prevent gum disease, then the best thing to do is to maintain healthy teeth and gums by brushing and flossing regularly. Smokers need to be extra careful to keep their mouths clean, because of the higher risk. What causes gum disease varies, but so do the treatments and preventative measures. If you are taking proper care of your teeth and gums, then you should be safe from getting the disease.