A majority of adults, these days, have severe gum or periodontal disease. The numbers are shocking. There is an increasing number of patients that are suffering from severe gum disease. This eventually, causes severe health problems if left untreated.
This is why we have taken a stand to discuss what gum disease is all about and some helpful information about how to prevent and treat this. So, before you go search for the terms ‘emergency dentist in London near me‘ on Google, consider giving this guide a read.
An Overview of Gum or Periodontal Disease
Gum disease often referred to as periodontal is common among adults. This is a condition that is caused by the accumulation of plaque between the teeth.
If you do not clean these bacteria by brushing, you put yourself at risk of disease. It is mainly caused due to inflammation and infection in the gum by bacteria buildup.
Gum disease, if left unnoticed and untreated can lead to tooth loss, gum recession, diabetes and heart disease. You can avoid and treat this if you follow good dental practices and gum ulcer treatment.
Let us explore the factors that play an active role in developing gum disease:
- Stress
- Smoking & substance abuse
- Puberty and periods of hormonal fluctuation
- HIV & other chronic health conditions
- Diabetes & poor diet
- Ageing
If you are concerned about any of the risk factors mentioned above, make sure you keep close tabs on dental hygiene and sore gums treatment. Also, discuss your concerns with an oral care professional to ensure good oral health.
Various Stages of Periodontal Disease
Gum disease has three progressing stages that include:
Gingivitis: Poor oral hygiene is a major cause of the early stage of it called gingivitis. The condition can have no symptoms at all. Or sometimes, it can cause your gums to turn red, swell, or bleed while brushing or flossing. This is why patients with gingivitis should treat the condition before it worsens.
Periodontitis: If gingivitis has not been treated on time, it can advance to the next phase of it called periodontitis. The condition occurs when plaque manages to reach below the gum line, producing toxins that trigger inflammation.
About straightening the teeth using lingual braces
As a result, the gums can recede, while deepening the teeth gaps. In this condition, your gums will separate from the top or bottom teeth. In its advanced phase, this infection will start damaging the jaw bone and loosening your teeth.
Advanced Periodontitis: This condition is characterized by more loose teeth, continued bone loss, and swelled gums. Patients may even develop temperature sensitivity.
While learning about the stages of gum disease of sensitive gums and teeth can be scary, this is the first step toward making changes to your oral and overall health.
How to Know You Have Gum Disease?
More often than not, gum disease is present without symptoms. In severe cases, it causes damage before there are any symptoms. Since gum disease is a little hard to detect, it is important that you check yourself regularly by a dentist or an oral hygienist.
Symptoms that you may have gum disease are:
- Sensitive gums, swollen or red
- Receding gums, revealing more part of the tooth than formerly visible
- Bleeding during flossing or brushing
- Recurring bad breath
- Pus coming out of gums
- Alterations to the bite fit or dentures
- A sense of loose teeth
In case you have any of the symptoms mentioned above, call your dentist right away. By doing so you are taking the leap of making that positive change in your oral and overall health.
Treatment
It depends on your overall health and the stage of gum disease you are in. Luckily, early-stage gum disease or gingivitis can be reversible if you follow proper oral hygiene steps. Thus, it will help prevent bacteria buildup and early gum disease.
Bacteria that got hardened and turned into tartar demand professional cleaning not normal brushing to remove. This is especially true when you develop plaque below the gumline. Only an oral care professional or a dentist can do this cleaning. He can advise root planing or scaling to help you remove plaque. This is a deep and thorough cleaning of the teeth that help combat the advancement of gum disease.
If you leave this condition untreated for a while, your dentist may need more complex procedures to help reverse bone loss and remove damaged tissue. In severe cases, r dentist may need restorative or surgical interventions.
If you are keen to fight against it, no matter what stage you are in, experts often recommend having an annual comprehensive periodontal assessment and its diagnosis.
How to Prevent Gum Disease
While it may seem challenging to start from scratch and follow a whole new routine, especially when your gums are sensitive, it is a good idea to pursue the same. Dentists suggest brushing between the teeth using interdental brushes and water flossers.
You can prevent it by:
- Following a balanced, diet. This supports a healthy and strong immune system
- Brushing and cleaning the teeth for at least two minutes two times a day
- Cleaning between the teeth daily
- Ceasing smoking and not using tobacco products
- Using antiseptic mouthwash two times a day
If you have not gotten started with a gum disease prevention routine, now is the right time to make changes for painful bleeding gums treatment. Take up new and healthy oral hygiene habits from Emergency Dentist London Pro to avoid severe problems in the future.
