Gum Diseases Causes and Prevention - Dental Medical Marketing

Gum disease (Periodontal disease) is an infection of the supporting tissues that surround your teeth. It is the most frequently reported cause of tooth loss in adults. Gum disease is usually painless. As a result, a lot of people who have gum disease don’t even know they have it!

Causes

Gum disease is caused by the buildup of plaque, a sticky colorless film that constantly coats our teeth. Plaque that isn’t removed, by regular brushing, flossing and rinsing, hardens and forms tartar (calculus). Once tartar forms it cannot be removed at home. Deep cleaning (scaling and root planning) by a dentist is the only way to remove tartar.

Stages

Gingivitis: Dental plaque continues to build up, layer after layer, on the tartar. This buildup results in gum inflammation and bleeding. This is the earliest stage of gum disease and is known as gingivitis. At this stage bone and connective tissue have not been affected.
Periodontitis: Soon enough the disease advances and starts impacting the connective tissue causing the gums to pull back from the teeth resulting in pocket formation between the gum and teeth. These pockets trap food particles and bacteria and result in the formation of more calculus beneath the gumline. This connective tissue damage is irreversible and can only be corrected or halted from progression with timely treatment.
Advanced periodontitis: at this stage, the connective tissue damaged has progressed to damaging fibers and bone. This may result in loose and painful teeth. It can also adversely affect your ability to chew food or speak painlessly. Only aggressive ‘gum therapy’ can save your teeth at this stage.

Signs and Symptoms of Gum Disease

Most of gum disease signs and symptoms are painless and can easily go unnoticed. Some of them are listed below

Persistent Bad Breath (Halitosis)
Sore, swollen, red or tender gums
Gums that easily bleed during simple brushing or flossing.
Receding gums causing teeth to appear longer
Detached gums
Persistent or recurrent metallic taste in mouth
Sensitive teeth

Quite frequently these symptoms present themselves in their mildest form. Hence redness and/or inflammation though present may not be noticeable to the untrained eye. With no glaring signs and symptoms, most people allow the gum disease to advance freely. Chances are high that by the time you notice symptoms attachment loss (detachment of the tooth and gums at the gumline) has already set in.

Prevention

Maintain good Oral Hygiene: Brush properly on a regular basis ( twice daily for two minutes each). Floss once daily. Using interdental brushes in case of large spaces between teeth. Rinse with an antiseptic mouthwash.Avoid Sugary foods: sugar impacts oral health rather negatively. Higher sugar consumption is directly linked to increased risk of cavities, plaque formation, tartar and a significant increase in pathogenic microorganisms like candida.
Eat on time: Regular eating encourages production of saliva. Saliva helps break down food and protects teeth from decay by replenishing lost minerals and accelerating production of good bacteria.
Quit Smoking/Tobacco Intake: Tobacco usage changes the oral flora that increases susceptibility to gum diseases.
Dental Checkup: Regular dental examination and clean up significantly reduces the chances of developing gum disease. In case gum disease is already and you are unaware regular dental check-up will ensure early diagnosis and management before the disease can progress and cause irreversible tissue/bone damage.

Recommendations:

A staggering number of adults in the U.S.A have some form of gum disease. If you know or suspect that you have gum disease it is advised you consult your local dentist right away. Delay in treatment can lead to tissue damage and bone damage.

We recommend visiting Clear Lake City Dentist, Dr. Dan Hoang. His practice is family friendly and the staff is highly skilled. They go great lengths to address all patient queries and concerns in as much detail as possible.

His dedication towards helping his patients attain optimal oral health has earned him the formidable reputation of the best dental professional in Clear Lake City.

Dr. Hoang takes pride in the fact that he has become the family dentist to most of his patients. With over two decades of experience and continued education, he brings up-to-date treatment options to his patients.

In two decades of service as a dental professional Dr. Hoang had seen and treated gum diseases in its various stages and has successfully delivered satisfactory results to his patients. His practice is highly reputed and frequently recommended by his patients past and current.

Don’t allow gum disease to get the better of you. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Hoang, the most sought-after Dentist in Clear Lake City now!