| Brushing and flossing can often seem like a | | | | disease. It is one of the leading causes of tooth loss |
| monotonous task and because of that, the | | | | among adults. The good news is that gum disease |
| importance of it can easily be taken for granted. The | | | | can easily be treated, if it is diagnosed in the early |
| truth is that it has never been more important do | | | | stages. If you have any of the following warning |
| both of these things in order to avoid gum disease | | | | signs, it is important to notify your dentist: |
| and the risks that gum disease place on our overall | | | | 1. Your gums bleed easily. |
| health. Approximately 75% of Americans suffer from | | | | 2. Your gums are red, tender and/or swollen. |
| some form of gum disease, whether they realize it | | | | 3. You can see pus in between your teeth and gums |
| or not. Gum disease has been linked to serious health | | | | when they are pressed. |
| complications, which can then lead to various dental | | | | 4. Your gums seem to be pulling away from your |
| problems that are often avoidable. | | | | teeth. |
| What is Gum Disease? | | | | 5. You have chronic bad breath or a bad taste in |
| Gum disease is actually called periodontal disease in | | | | your mouth. |
| the dental community. It is mainly caused by bacteria | | | | 6. You notice a change in your bite or in the way |
| from plaque and tarter build up. Gum disease can be | | | | that your teeth fit together. |
| caused by the following things: | | | | 7. Your teeth are loose or they are separating. |
| Tobacco use | | | | 8. The fit of your partials or dentures have changed. |
| Clenching or grinding your teeth | | | | Many gum issues are caused by plaque that is not |
| Certain medications | | | | removed and remains around the gum-lines of the |
| Genetics | | | | teeth. The bacteria that are in plaque produce acids |
| Types of This Disease Include: | | | | and other toxins. The acids and toxins can destroy |
| Gingivitis - This is the beginning stage of gum disease | | | | bone and gum tissue, over a long period of time. |
| and is often undetected. At this stage, the disease is | | | | Brushing twice a day is often not enough to remove |
| still reversible. | | | | the damaging plaque. The most damaging plaque is in |
| Periodontitis - Untreated gingivitis can eventually lead | | | | between your teeth, so it is very important to floss |
| to the development of this form of gum disease. | | | | your teeth every single day. Plaque that is not |
| Periodontitis has many different levels of severity but | | | | removed will harden into a thick deposit that is called |
| the common outcome is chronic inflammatory | | | | tarter. If tarter is not removed from the teeth and |
| response. This is a condition when the body breaks | | | | below the gum-line, it can lead to chronic infection |
| down the bone and tissue in the infected area of the | | | | and inflammation. Having your teeth professionally |
| mouth, which will ultimately result in tooth and bone | | | | cleaned at a dental office is the only way to remove |
| loss. | | | | tartar. |
| This disease is usually referred to as periodontal | | | | |