What Is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease is an infection of gums, bones and tissues that surround and support the teeth. The early stage and the most common form is gingivitis, which is a non-destructive form of periodontal disease, which causes painful and swollen gums. The more destructive form is periodontis, which may cause bones to break out and teeth to fall out.
There are many factors that can lead to periodontal disease. Plaque that has developed inside the mouth can infect tissue that surrounds the teeth, causing tooth decay and tartar buildup. If left untreated, these bacteria would infect the gums, tissues and teeth leading to periodontal disease. Other known causes include poor dental hygiene, illness, pregnancy and diabetes. Brushing vigorously, misaligned teeth, and using unclean mouth appliances such as retainers, braces, and dentures can also cause injury to the gums. A visit to a professional dentist may stop the formation of bacteria and prevent inflammation in the mouth.
The following are early warning signs of periodontal disease:
- Bleeding gums every time you brush
- Dark red or swollen gums
- Bad breath
- Bad taste within the mouth
- Chewing difficulty
Risk of periodontal disease may possibly increase due to heredity or genetic factors, stress, ulcers, smoking, diabetes, AIDS, psychological disorders, osteoporosis, and even hormonal changes. To prevent periodontal disease, you need to have good dental hygiene, and visit your dentist every 6 months or more frequently if you have warning signs already. Proper brushing of your teeth for 2 minutes should also be done after every meal, while flossing should be for 2 to 3 minutes. Anti-plaque or anti-tartar toothpaste may be recommended for people who show early signs. For severe forms of periodontal disease, a more extensive treatment is necessary. Such treatment may involve using of dental apparatus, medications, and surgical operations.
Never underestimate the importance of having a clean and healthy mouth. Teeth and gums can affect total health problems and can lead to serious diseases, such as periodontal disease, if not properly taken care of. Do not take your teeth for granted; brushing alone may not be enough to maintain cleanliness and oral hygiene.
What You Need To Know About Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease is an infection of the gums, bones and tissue that surround and support the teeth. The early stage and the most common form is gingivitis, which is a form of the disease that causes painful and swollen gums. Another, more destructive form is periodontis, which may cause bones to break and teeth to fall out.
There are many factors that can lead to periodontal disease. Plaque that has developed inside the mouth can infect tissue that surrounds the teeth causing tooth decay and tartar. If untreated, these bacteria will infect the gums, tissues and teeth leading to disease. Other known causes include poor dental hygiene, illness, pregnancy and diabetes. Brushing vigorously, having misaligned teeth, and using unclean mouth appliances can also cause injury to the gums. A visit to a professional dentist can stop the formation of bacteria and prevent inflammation in the mouth.
The following are the early warning signs of periodontal disease:
- Bleeding gums when you brush
- Dark red or swollen gums
- Bad breath
- Bad taste within the mouth
- Chewing difficulty
Risks for periodontal disease may increase due to heredity or genetic factors, stress, ulcers, smoking, diabetes, AIDS, psychological disorders, osteoporosis and even hormonal changes. To prevent this disease, you need to have good dental hygiene, and visit your dentist every 6 months. Proper brushing for 2 minutes should also be done after every meal, while flossing should be performed for 2 to 3 minutes. Anti-plaque or anti-tartar toothpaste may be recommended for people who show early signs. For severe forms of periodontal disease, a more extensive treatment may be necessary. Such treatment may involve the use of a dental apparatus, medications, and/or other surgical and non-surgical options.
Never underestimate the importance of having a clean and healthy mouth. Teeth and gums can affect your total health, and can lead to serious diseases. Do not take your teeth for granted.