Hi there, I am Dr. Jacobs, the dentist here at Riverside Center for Esthetic Dentistry. In the dental field, February is the month to acknowledge gum disease. We wanted to spread some awareness to those who struggle with gum disease and answer some of the most important questions about this topic.
What is gum disease?
Gum disease is an infection in your gums that, if left untreated, can lead to tooth loss. There are several types of gum disease; most affect adults and are primarily due to the lack of proper brushing and flossing. Gum disease appears as red, inflamed gums that easily bleed. If left untreated, you will experience bone loss. If that bone loss is left untreated, it will progress until your teeth become loose and fall out. The main sign is bleeding gums, but bleeding gums are not the only sign. Eventually, you will see loose teeth, you may smell a foul odor coming from your mouth, and your taste may also be affected. If gum disease is not treated, your teeth will eventually become loose and fall out, and you may even get a swelling, which is simply a pocket of pus. This may become mildly painful to severely painful, and you may have to seek the care of a medical professional to drain that pus.
The best way to prevent gum disease is by proper brushing and flossing every day and seeing your dentist regularly. For the most part, gum disease can be reversed if treated early. The early stage is called gingivitis. Once the bone is involved, it is called periodontitis. Once you have bone loss, it is difficult to regenerate the bone, and often it tends to be gone forever. There are certain procedures we can occasionally do to try and reverse some of the bone loss, but you always want to address it in the early stages. Sometimes it is just too late, and the teeth have to all be pulled. So, my best advice is to see your dentist regularly to avoid having gum disease in the first place. With that being said, it is important to brush and floss and keep up with your oral health care.
Here at Riverside Center for Esthetic Dentistry, we provide necessary cleanings to fix and prevent gum disease. You can always call us at (951) 904-3164 and reserve yourself an appointment or visit our website at riversidecenterforaestheticdentistry.com and schedule yourself with our user-friendly book appointment option. Thank you once again for stopping by, and we will see you soon.
Periodontal Maintenance
Periodontal diseases are infections of the gums, which gradually destroy the support of your natural teeth. There are numerous disease entities requiring different treatment approaches. Dental plaque is the primary cause of gum disease in genetically susceptible individuals. Daily brushing and flossing will prevent most periodontal conditions.
Why is oral hygiene so important?
Adults over 35 lose more teeth to gum diseases, (periodontal disease) than from cavities. Three out of four adults are affected at some time in their life. The best way to prevent cavities and periodontal disease is by good tooth brushing and flossing techniques, performed daily.
Periodontal disease and decay are both caused by bacterial plaque. Plaque is a colorless film, which sticks to your teeth at the gum line. Plaque constantly forms on your teeth. By thorough daily brushing and flossing you can remove these germs and help prevent periodontal disease.
Periodontal diseases can be accelerated by a number of different factors. However, it is mainly caused by the bacteria found in dental plaque, a sticky colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth. If not carefully removed by daily brushing and flossing, plaque hardens into a rough, porous substance known as calculus (or tartar).
Other important factors affecting the health of your gums include:
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Stress
- Clenching and grinding teeth
- Medication
- Poor nutrition
Periodontal Disease
Bacteria found in plaque produces toxins or poisons that irritate the gums, which may cause them to turn red, swell and bleed easily. If this irritation is prolonged, the gums separate from the teeth, causing pockets (spaces) to form. As periodontal diseases progress, the supporting gum tissue and bone that holds teeth in place deteriorate. If left untreated, this leads to tooth loss.
Preventing Gum Disease
The best way to prevent gum disease is effective daily brushing and flossing as well as regular professional examinations and cleanings. Unfortunately, even with the most diligent home dental care, people still can develop some form of periodontal disease. Once this disease starts, professional intervention is necessary to prevent its progress.