Gum disease affects more than half of adults with natural teeth, making it quite widespread.
A dentist, hygienist, or periodontist can treat it, and the consequences can be reversed in the early stages.What are gum infections
There are three basic forms of gum disease: acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis, periodontitis, and gingivitis.Gingivitis
Plaque, a mixture of food, germs, and bacterial waste products that can accumulate on your teeth and cause gingivitis, irritates your gums. Regular plaque removal will prevent your gums from becoming red, swollen, glossy, and bleeding. Gum disease is at its earliest stage at this point, and it can be fully reversed. Your gums will heal if the plaque is removed. However, if you don't remove the plaque from your teeth, periodontitis could turn from gingivitis.Periodontitis
In some people, the inflammatory reaction of the body to plaque and tartar as well as the irritation it causes start to affect the bone structure supporting your teeth. As time passes, the pockets deepen and become more challenging to clean, and the gum and bone pull away from the roots, allowing portion of the root to be seen. Your teeth may become movable when you lose dental support. Periodontitis is the term for this stage. The term "periodontitis" describes a variety of inflammatory conditions that affect the tissues that support and surround the teeth. If left untreated, periodontitis causes the alveolar bone supporting the teeth to gradually deteriorate, which can cause teeth to loosen and eventually fall out. Germs that stick to and grow on the surfaces of the teeth, together with an excessively aggressive immune reaction against these bacteria, are the two main contributors to periodontitis. A periodontal probe is used to examine the soft gum tissues surrounding the teeth in order to diagnose periodontitis. Radiographs are also visually analysed to assess the degree of bone loss around the teeth. Although periodontal disease cannot be cured, it can be managed or slowed down with a good oral hygiene routine that involves the patient and the dental team. This comprises tooth or gum debridement performed by a dentist or periodontist, as well as, occasionally, medications to eliminate germs or promote the regeneration of periodontal tissue.Acute necrotising ulcerative gingivitis
An acute form of gum disease known as ANUG, commonly referred to as "trench mouth," appears out of the blue. It can be treated with medicines and proper dental care, such as brushing your teeth twice a day.What are the symptoms
You might not be conscious of your gum disease. You might not have any symptoms and it won't always hurt. This is just one of the reasons it's crucial that you visit your dentist on a regular basis for check-up’s.- First indications of gingivitis typically include:
- Gums that bleed while you're brushing your teeth
- Red and swollen gums
- If gingivitis turned into periodontitis, you might have:
- an unpleasant aftertaste
- a tooth or teeth that are shaky
- gum infection
- These are some of the signs of ANUG:
- ulcers that bleed quickly and cause pain immediately
- poor breath
- a loss of the V-shaped gum strips that are located between your teeth
- feeling ill all over
- You should call us right away if you experience any of these signs.
Causes of Gum Infections
Plaque accumulates around unclean teeth, which leads to gum disease. This is more likely to occur if you have trouble cleaning your teeth thoroughly, such as if you wear braces or dentures or if you have irregularities in your teeth that a toothbrush can't get to. Other factors, such as smoking or having diabetes, also increase your risk of developing gum disease. Additionally, while your hormones are changing, like as during pregnancy or adolescence, you may be more susceptible to developing gingivitis.Identifying gum disease
Your dentist will check you and inquire about your symptoms. He or she might inquire about your medical background. Most of the time, your dentist can identify gingivitis just by looking at your teeth. However, if your dentist believes you have periodontitis, he or she may examine your mouth more closely and use a periodontal probe to look for gum disease. This is a gauge for the separation between your gums and teeth. To assess how well your gums are linked to your teeth, your dentist will place the probe beside each tooth and just below the gum line. X-rays may also be required to examine the health of your teeth and jaw bone.
