Gum Disease
Gingivitis or gum disease as it is more commonly known is inflammation of the gum.
The cause of gum disease is poor oral hygiene. A buildup of plaque and
bacteria on the teeth and gums is caused through inadequate brushing and
flossing of the teeth. This plaque, which is a soft and sticky form of
bacteria, produces toxins that irritate the gum tissue and leads to
gingivitis.
Some signs and symptoms of gingivitis may include:
• Tender gums, sometimes painful to touch
• Bright red gums
• Inflamed or swollen gums
• Bad breath
• Bleeding when brushing or flossing
• Gum recession
Gum Disease causes the gum to become loose around the teeth and the teeth to then detach from the gum, causing tooth loss.
We can treat gingivitis by attending the dentist to seek their
professional advice on the matter. They can advise on things that you
are able to carry out at home such as, better tooth brushing, flossing
and other adequate interdental cleaning. Dentists are also able to clean
your teeth professionally, getting rid of any hard plaque buildup which
you are unable to brush off yourself.
At the early stage of gum disease it is possible to reverse the damage
and keep the teeth and connecting tissue in place. However, left
untreated gingivitis can lead to periodontal disease which is much more
permanent and causes damage to your teeth and gums.
Regular dental visits are very important to ensure things like gum disease are caught and treated at an early stage.
