According to research, nearly 64.7 million Americans suffer from periodontitis, commonly known as gum disease. It is especially common with people over the age of 30. It leads alongside tooth decay in issues associated with dental health.
As its name suggests, gum disease is an infection of the gums. Once you notice an issue with your gums, it is advisable to see a dentist immediately. Otherwise, the disease might spread, culminating in severe complications.
Stages of Gum Disease
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease, characterized by bad breath, swollen, bleeding, or red gums. The bleeding of the gums will often be witnessed when brushing or flossing.
People with gingivitis experience little or no discomfort. It is for this reason that many of them will not seek medical attention. Fortunately, gingivitis is easily preventable. Practicing proper oral hygiene is one of the best methods of preventing this type of gum disease. In case it develops, sees a dentist. He will do a deep dental cleaning procedure known as scaling. Also, with proper oral hygiene and regular visits to your dentist, gingivitis will clear in no time.
Periodontitis
A more severe type of gum disease is periodontitis. It is often a result of untreated gingivitis. Here, the gums are infected to the extent that it pulls away from the teeth. As a result, the teeth become loose requiring extraction. Also, when plaque spreads past the tooth and into the gum, you may develop periodontitis.
The severity of periodontitis depends from one person to the other. While some experience infections in the pockets formed after the teeth-gum separation, others will experience gum tissue and bone damage.
Proper Oral Hygiene Can Prevent Gum Disease
There is a reason why dentists will always insist on proper oral hygiene. We have all witnessed dental campaigns where parents are urged to teach their children proper dental hygiene.
Practicing good oral hygiene involves the following:
- Brushing the teeth twice a day. Dentists advise that one of those occasions be before you sleep.
- Flossing your teeth at least once every day.
- Using toothpaste that is recommended by dentists. Also, make sure that your preferred toothpaste has the right amount of fluoride.
- Schedule dentist visits at least once a year or more frequently if you have underlying dental problems.
- Letting go of bad habits such as smoking.
Apart from the above good oral hygiene practices, make sure that you are taking a balanced diet rich in nutrients and vitamins. Foods rich in calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and vitamin K are great for dental health.
Gum Disease Treatment
Depending on the severity of the gum disease, your dentist might need to administer treatments that he deems fit. As stated earlier, your dentist might perform a scaling and polishing procedure to remove tartar and plaque. A root planing treatment that eliminates bacteria from the roots is also another option.
In severe cases, gum surgery is a possibility. However, less severe cases will quickly go away by taking prescribed antibiotics and painkillers.