Sunday, December 22nd, 2024
Gum disease, also known as gingivitis, is a serious condition that normally results in tooth loss as we grow older. When it comes to adults, gingivitis and periodontal disease are the most common types of gum disease you want to avoid.
To prevent both types of gum disease, the easiest solution is to just brush your teeth and remove as much plaque buildup as possible.
Gingivitis is the result of inflammation in the tissues of the gums due to bacteria buildup.
Once plaque and tartar starts to build up along the gum line, the gums will eventually get swollen and become irritated.
Over time if left unattended, the gums will eventually get tender, red and start to appear puffy.
When you brush your teeth, what you’ll notice is your gums will get extremely sore, and will usually start to bleed with little to no pressure.
So once you notice blood when brushing, then the chances are good you have the early stages of gingivitis.
Anytime you brush your teeth or floss, the gums should be strong enough to withhold the pressure of the brushing, without any signs of blood.
The Early Signs Of Gum Disease
If you currently don’t have gingivitis, then there shouldn’t be any signs of bone structure loss around the gums or there’s no bleeding.
The best way to prevent gingivitis, is to simply and consistently brush with a soft bristle toothbrush and floss several times a day.
If there are early signs of gingivitis, and you don’t bother to do anything about it, what it can lead to is periodontal disease.
So if have poor oral hygiene habits or don’t bother is visit your dentist on a regular basis, gingivitis once left unattended can end up as an extremely serious issue.
What Is Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease is a condition where the bone and its surrounding gum structure becomes weak to the point of gum disease.
It’s thought once it reaches this condition, that it usually can’t be reversed.
The only solution is to visit your dentist to put a stop on its progression, along with regular brushing several times day to keep it in check.
Periodontal disease should be treated as a serious condition, and you should do all you can to stop it’s progress, otherwise it will result in tooth loss.
The best preventative maintenance is to never allow your gums and teeth get this bad.
How To Prevent Teeth Disease
If you don’t bother to do anything about the development of periodontal disease, the condition will just continue to get worse.
During the early stages of the disease, you’ll notice your gums will appear to be bright red, and become extremely sore.
This is because to the plaque starting to build up below the gum line.
If left untreated, the plaque and the tartar below the gums will continue to eat away at the teeth enamel.
Signs Of Periodontal Disease
Keep in mind that the plaque buildup doesn’t necessarily need to be visible or detected, for periodontal disease to be diagnosed.
To determine if you have periodontal disease, you’ll need to have your dentist examine your teeth on a regular basis.
Your dentist can then perform tests on your gums and teeth, to determine if you have it.
Once diagnosed, your dentist can then tell you how to stop its progression, while preventing the issue from getting worse than they already are.
The Potential Of Tooth Loss
Once gingivitis progresses into periodontal disease, it isn’t normally painful as both conditions tend to progress slowly.
Although you may not be aware that you initially have gum disease, the symptoms and signs will eventually appear in its later stages.
Once it begins to progress and you do nothing about it, the end result is normally tooth loss.
Preventative Maintenance From Tooth Decay
To prevent and protect your teeth and gums from tooth decay, the best solution is to always visit your dentist for regular checkups and plaque removal.
If you catch it in time, your dentist will be able to help you treat the earlier stages of gum disease.
You never want to wait until it is too late, as the more advanced stages of gum disease can completely destroy your teeth and gums – and there will be little to nothing you can do about it.