How to Treat and Prevent Gum Disease

Categories: HEALTH

Periodontal Disease (Gum Disease):

Periodontitis, often known as gum disease, is a dangerous gum infection that damages the soft tissue surrounding teeth. Its pronunciation is per-e-o-don-TIE-tis. The bone that supports your teeth could be destroyed by periodontitis if left untreated. This may result in tooth loss or tooth loosening.

Although common, periodontitis is typically preventable. It frequently happens as a result of poor oral and dental hygiene. Brush at least twice a day, floss every day, and schedule routine dental exams to help avoid periodontitis or increase your chances of a successful treatment.

Periodontal disease, sometimes referred to as gum disease, is an infection caused by bacteria that damages the bone and gums that support the teeth. It might result in tooth loss and other oral health issues if left untreated. Here are some recommendations for treating and avoiding gum disease:

Practice good oral hygiene: Use an antiseptic mouthwash to kill bacteria, floss daily, and brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.

Stop smoking: Smoking accelerates the healing process and raises your chance of developing gum disease.

Go to the dentist frequently: Early gum disease can be identified and treated by your dentist to prevent it from worsening. They can also offer expert cleanings to get rid of tartar accumulation.

Maintain a healthy diet: A fruit and vegetable-rich diet can prevent gum disease by giving the mouth the vital nutrients it needs to stay healthy.

Control your stress: Stress can impair your immune system and increase your risk of developing gum disease. Look for techniques to control your stress, such exercise or meditation.

Treat underlying medical issues: Gum disease is more likely to occur if illnesses like diabetes are not effectively managed.

Use a mouthguard: If you clench or grind your teeth at sleep, doing so can harm your teeth and gums.

Gum disease has several causes:

Gum disease is primarily brought on by plaque. Periodontal disease, however, might also be influenced by additional causes. These consist of:

1. Due to the increased sensitivity of gums brought on by hormonal changes, such as those experienced during pregnancy, puberty, menopause, and monthly menstruation, gingivitis is more likely to develop.

2. Illnesses may have an impact on your gums' health. This includes illnesses that compromise the immune system, like cancer or HIV. Diabetes patients are more likely to acquire infections, such as cavities and periodontal disease, since the condition impairs the body's capacity to use blood sugar.

3. Medicines can have an impact on oral health since some of them reduce saliva flow, which protects teeth and gums. Some medications, including the anticonvulsant Dilantin and the angina medications Procardia and Adalat, might result in aberrant gum tissue growth.

4. Unhealthy behaviours like smoking make it more difficult for gum tissue to heal.

5. Poor dental hygiene practices, such as not brushing and flossing every day, make gingivitis more likely to manifest.

6. A family history of dental illness may have a role in the onset of gingivitis.

Symptoms of Gum disease:

Gums that are in good health are firm and tightly abut teeth. Healthy gums can be any colour. In some people, they can be pale pink, while in others, they can be dark pink and brown. Periodontitis symptoms can include:

1. Puffy or swollen gums.

2. Gums that are bright crimson, dark red, or dark purple.

3. Sensitive gums that feel soft to the touch.

4. Easily bleeding gums.

5. A pink toothbrush after using it to brush your teeth.

6. Spitting blood while using a toothbrush or dental floss.

7. Persistently bad breath.

8. Plaque on the gums and teeth.

9. Missing or loose teeth.

10. Excruciating chewing.

11. New, dark triangle-shaped voids that appear between your teeth start to form.

12. Receding gums are gums that peel away from your teeth, giving the appearance that your teeth are longer than usual.

13. A modification in how your teeth bite together.

Gum disease complications:

Periodontitis, which results from untreated gum disease, can cause additional issues like:

1. Gum abscesses (awful pus-filled masses in the mouth);

2. Gum recession

3. Missing teeth

4. Tooth loss

Risk factors of Gum disease:

You may be more susceptible to developing periodontitis if you have:

1. Dental caries.

2. Poor oral hygiene practises.

3. Using tobacco—smoking or chewing.

4. Hormonal changes, such as those brought on by menopause or pregnancy.

5. Recreational drug use, including marijuana smoking and e-cigarette use.

6. Overweight.

7. A lack of nourishment, particularly vitamin C deficiency.

8. Genetics.

9. Some medications that result in gum changes or dry mouth.

10. Immunosuppressive conditions such as leukaemia, HIV/AIDS, and cancer therapy.

11. A few illnesses include Crohn's disease, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Treatment and prevention of gum disease:

1. Practising proper oral hygiene can typically alleviate mild cases of gum disease.

2. This entails using floss frequently and brushing your teeth at least twice daily. Additionally, be sure to go to routine dental exams.

3. Your dentist or dental hygienist should be able to thoroughly clean your teeth and remove any tartar that has formed as a result of hardened plaque.

4. They'll be able to demonstrate to you how to properly clean your teeth to help stop plaque buildup in the future.

5. If you have serious gum disease, you will typically need further medical and dental care, and in certain circumstances, surgery may be required. A periodontist—a specialist in gum issues—will typically conduct this.

6. In order to prevent complications, a gum infection must be treated as a way.

7. According to the CDC, gingivitis and other early stages of periodontal disease can be controlled and treated with good dental hygiene practices and routine professional cleanings.

8. A dentist will have to remove tartar from the teeth if plaque is allowed to harden into it. With regular brushing and flossing, a person can reduce gum damage and inflammation by dissolving this hardened tartar.

9. A deep cleaning of the gums and pockets surrounding the teeth may be necessary as a form of treatment for periodontitis, a gum infection. It will also be required to clean out any abscesses that may be there. The dentist might need to remove some gum tissue or bone in some circumstances.

10. Oral antibiotics may be necessary to treat more serious and chronic illnesses. To aid in the removal of the infection, dentists may inject antibiotics directly into the affected area.

Advanced conditions could call for surgery, such as bone or tissue grafts, to prevent or restore jaw deterioration.

Gum disease home cures:

Dentists may suggest that patients practise good oral hygiene at home as part of their therapy for a gum infection to help control the illness. A part of good oral hygiene is:

1. Using a medicated mouthwash

2. Brushing teeth at least twice daily

3. Flossing after meals

4. After meals, rinsing the mouth with clean water

5. Swish warm salt water around your mouth to eliminate bacteria and help with swelling.

Diagnosis of periodontal disease:

In the course of a routine examination, a dentist can determine if you have gum disease. They'll examine your teeth for plaque accumulation and enquire about your symptoms. They could suggest that you get further testing and care from a periodontist (a gum specialist).

A device known as a periodontal probe is used by a dentist or periodontist to measure the pockets surrounding your teeth. The amount of bone loss surrounding your teeth is shown by this. The severity of your gum disease increases with the depth of the pockets. Your periodontist will examine your bite, the amount of tooth movement, and how much your gums are receding from your teeth. Dental X-rays will also be taken. The areas of bone loss are clearly seen in these photos. To see how your bone has altered over time, they can also examine prior X-rays.

Stages of periodontal disease:

Gums in good health feel firm to the touch. None of them bleed or swell. However, bleeding, swollen, and discoloured (reddish or purplish) gums can be a sign of periodontal disease. Gum disease, if left untreated, can destroy your jawbone, perhaps resulting in tooth loss.

The tissues that surround your teeth eventually deteriorate. In fact, most patients with gum disease don't feel discomfort, especially in the beginning. Therefore, it's crucial to understand the warning signs.

Gum disease progresses through four stages:

1. Gingivitis: The early stages of gum disease are at this point. Red, swollen gums that may bleed when you brush or floss are the first sign. There isn't any bone loss at this time. As a result, gingivitis is completely curable with the right care.

2. Mild periodontitis: The supporting bone has been harmed by the bacteria that have permeated your gums. Your gums could separate from your teeth and develop pockets all around them. Because your toothbrush and floss can't get to these pockets, plaque and bacteria like to hide there.

3. Moderate periodontitis: If bacteria aren't controlled, they start to destroy the bone, soft tissues, and ligaments holding your teeth in place. You might detect pus (infection) and unpleasant breath along your gum line. At this point, some people start to feel pain.

4. Advanced periodontitis: Bone loss persists as periodontal disease progresses. Your teeth may become loose as a result and finally fall out.

Make a dental appointment as soon as you can if you think you may have gum disease. Early intervention can stop the disease's progression and further harm to your dental health.