Gum Disease

Gum Disease is one of the most common dental problems. Gum disease can start practically at any age. The gum disease can be easily prevented in most cases by practicing good oral hygiene. The gum disease usually develops very slowly without any pain in the beginning. The teeth are held in place by the gums and the bones. The gum disease is caused by the dental plaque, which is a thin colorless sticky film, which contains bacteria and attaches to the teeth. The plaque also builds up at the line where your gums attach to your teeth. If do not remove the dental plaque daily by brushing and flossing, the plaque builds up and hardens into tartar. The tartar is firmly attached to the teeth and cannot be removed by brushing and flossing. The tartar may cause inflammation of the gum tissue at the point where the gums attach to the teeth. This first stage of the gum disease is called gingivitis and may be characterized with irritated, swollen gums or easily bleeding gums. If the gingivitis is left untreated, it slowly damages the gums and the point where it attaches to the teeth, and it may progress over time into periodontitis. The periodontitis is loss of bone around the teeth, which usually leads to loosening of the teeth, and it may cause tooth loss eventually if not treated.

Gum disease can be prevented by practicing good oral hygiene, by both brushing and flossing regularly. If you suspect that you have gum disease, you should see dentist right away. A dentist can determine if you have gum disease and may perform cleaning of the teeth and gums if needed. After cleaning you should regularly remove dental plague to avoid tartar build ups, which can cause gum disease.

Disclaimer:

The information provided in this article does not constitute medical advice and should not be used for diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. If you have a health problem you should consult a licensed physician.

Teeth Diseases > Gum Disease