Gum disease is an infection of the gums. It impacts nearly half of people older than 30, as well as 70 percent of people older than 65. When untreated, it can cause gum recession and tooth loss. We can help you understand the symptoms of gum disease and learn how to prevent it to improve your oral health.
Gum disease is an infection of the gum tissue. When left untreated, it can progress from gingivitis in its most mild form to periodontitis, a more serious infection.
Gum disease is an infection of the gum tissue. When left untreated, it can progress from gingivitis in its most mild form to periodontitis, a more serious infection. Advanced periodontitis is the most severe form of gum disease. Without treatment, gum disease can destroy the jawbone and lead to tooth loss.
Symptoms of gum disease can include:
The best way to prevent gum disease is with excellent oral hygiene. These practices can help you maintain healthy gums:
In addition, research suggests that following a healthy lifestyle can improve your gum health, including the following practices:
Gingivitis means inflammation of the gums. It’s the most common and mildest form of gum disease.
Symptoms of gingivitis include:
If you have gingivitis, your gums may also bleed easily when you brush your teeth. Without treatment, gingivitis can progress to a more serious form of gum disease called periodontitis.
Gingivitis happens when a film of bacteria, called plaque, builds up on the teeth. The most common reason people get gingivitis is because they don’t brush and floss correctly, which allows plaque to build up and harden on the teeth. It’s important to brush twice a day and clean between the teeth with floss, a water flosser, or a dental brush daily to maintain healthy gums.
Several other factors can contribute to gingivitis, including:
Gum recession is the process in which the gums that surround the teeth wear down or pull back and expose more of the teeth and the roots. When the gums recede, gaps or pockets form between the teeth and gum line, allowing pathogenic bacteria to accumulate there.
Gum disease is the most common cause for gum recession. Many other factors may contribute to gum recession, including:
Once the gums recede, they don’t grow back. However, dental treatments can restore and reattach receded gum tissue. These therapies can include:
Your dentist may recommend this procedure as one of the first treatments for receding gums. When you get this treatment, a dental professional uses special tools to remove plaque and tartar on the roots below the gum line and to smooth the roots.
Your dentist may recommend this newer surgical procedure for mild to moderate gum recession. During this surgery, the dentist makes a tiny hole in the gum tissue above the exposed root and then uses a tool to separate the gum from the tooth. The dentist then stretches and shifts the gum over the exposed tooth root.
Your dentist may recommend this procedure for severe gum recession. For this procedure, a dental surgeon removes a small piece of gum tissue from somewhere in the mouth and uses it to cover the exposed roots.
Purchase SmartMouth™ mouthwash and oral care products from regional and national retailers near you. So you can be sure – no matter where you go – bad breath doesn’t follow.
BUY ON AMAZON