Gum disease is the main cause of premature tooth loss in adults, causing more problems than cavities and decay combined. It is also a very common condition, but unfortunately one that often goes either undetected or untreated. In the early stages, it is an easy problem to fix, but left to progress it can cause real damage to teeth roots, and even, in advanced cases, the jawbone itself. Knowing what to look for will help you spot the signs of the condition before it advances to the stage where tooth loss is inevitable.
What Causes Gum Disease?
Everyone’s mouth is full of bacteria, no matter how carefully you floss and brush, and even antibacterial mouthwash only has a temporary effect in reducing their number. Under normal circumstances, these bacteria cause no problems, but if their levels grow too high they can cause inflammation of the gums, and even bleeding. This bleeding is often the earliest sign of trouble, usually first noticed when brushing, flossing, or eating certain foods such as apples.
The medical term for this inflammation is gingivitis, and effective treatment requires a visit to the dentist for a thorough cleaning of your teeth and gums to remove the excess bacteria. From then on, paying a little extra attention to your brushing and flossing routine will help to stop the problem returning, along with using a high-quality, dentist-approved mouthwash.
Without treatment, gingivitis can quickly progress to the stage where more visible swelling is accompanied by soreness and frequent bleeding, usually coupled with bad breath and a constant unpleasant taste in the mouth.
These symptoms are certainly disagreeable, but not particularly harmful, and they can usually be reversed completely with proper treatment and an improvement in dental hygiene habits. However, left to its own devices, gingivitis can escalate into an altogether more serious condition.
Periodontal Disease
If the bacteria that cause gingivitis are allowed to take a firmer hold and spread deeper into the gums, the result is a condition called periodontal disease or periodontitis. This is a potentially serious problem that can lead to tooth loss and even damage to the jaw. From the outside, periodontitis looks like a severe case of gingivitis, but instead of the gums being simply inflamed, they also shrink back into the jaw leaving increasing amounts of your teeth exposed. During this process, empty pockets can also form between the gums and teeth, which can quickly become infected, damaging the affected teeth along with their roots and connective tissues. The outward signs of this may include a discharge of pus, along with blisters, abscesses, and noticeably loose teeth.
To help curb these problems, scheduled visits to a Dentist in Rochedale are recommended.
