If not cleaned, the plaque causes the gums to get inflamed and bleed. This condition is called Gingivitis and is considered the first stage of Gum Disease.
#1 GUM DISEASE CAN GO UNDETECTED IN ITS EARLY STAGES
Gum disease otherwise known as Periodontal Disease affects the gums and is one of the most common oral problems millions of people face at least once in their lifetime. The initial stages of gum disease have barely any symptoms and it is only when the gums get inflamed and cause pain, that we actually realise something is wrong. While gum disease on its own is not a life-threatening condition, it can be a sign of an underlying condition.
#2 POOR ORAL HYGIENE CAUSES GUM DISEASE
The mouth is one of the places in the body that is laden with bacteria. When they combine with mucus, they form a sticky substance called plaque that sticks to the gums and teeth. If not cleaned, the plaque causes the gums to get inflamed and bleed. This condition is called Gingivitis and is considered the first stage of Gum Disease.
#3 SMOKING IS ONE OF THE MAIN CAUSES OF GUM DISEASE
Smoking is one of the biggest risk factors for gum disease because it produces a high amount of bacterial plaque, which leads to gum disease. Smoking reduces oxygen in the bloodstream and slows down the healing process of the gums, thereby worsening the condition.
#4 BLEEDING GUMS IS THE FIRST SIGN OF GUM DISEASE
Pay attention to your teeth and gums when you are brushing them. If you notice blood in the toothpaste foam, it is likely that you have gum disease. You may not even feel pain or sensitivity while brushing or at any other time. Bleeding gums, or Gingivitis, is one of the first symptoms of gum disease – indicating a build-up of plaque between the teeth and gums. An immediate dental check-up can resolve the problem before it progresses.
#5 GUM DISEASE IS A CAUSE OF BAD BREATH
It is not just the food you eat that causes bad mouth odour. However, when you have an infection in your mouth that is causing bad breath, even when you have not consumed food, the stale odour remains. The bacteria that cause gum disease give out foul-smelling gases. The worse the infection, the worse your breath smell.
#6 UNCHECKED GINGIVITIS LEADS TO PERIODONTITIS
Periodontitis is a more serious infection. It is the second stage of gum disease. Symptoms of gingivitis and periodontitis overlap, but when the disease has progressed it is not possible to ignore the symptoms. Tender, swollen gums that are sensitive to heat and cold can be considered the first sign that gum disease is worsening. Other symptoms of periodontitis include bright red or purplish gums, pus between teeth and gums, loosening of teeth, pain while chewing, new gaps appearing between teeth and receding gums. Without an intensive cleaning by the dentist, there is no way out. Periodontitis does not just affect the gums; it can lead to tissue and bone loss throughout the mouth. Advanced procedures may be required to help regenerate lost bone and tissue.
#7 GUM DISEASE IS THE MAIN CAUSE OF TOOTH LOSS IN ADULTS
Periodontitis which is a more advanced stage of gum disease can lead to tooth loss. Infected gums begin to recede and can even start tearing away from the teeth. This can be painful and lead to the teeth becoming loose, and ultimately falling off. In cases where the tooth is loose but has not fallen off, the dentist will recommend extraction because a loose tooth is a sign that the infection has spread to it. The only way to stop the infection from spreading to the other parts of the mouth will be the extraction of the infected tooth.
#8 ROUTINE DENTAL CHECK-UPS CAN PREVENT GUM DISEASE
Even when your teeth look spotless, you might still have gum disease. Plaque build-up in the gums happens silently. The unschooled eye is blind to its presence. A dentist can identify the condition in its nascent stages and eliminate it with simple scaling. You can prevent gum disease by brushing and flossing twice a day and visiting the dentist at least twice a year even if you have no dental troubles. Other ways to prevent gum disease are do not smoke or use any tobacco products, avoid sugary food, discuss side effects of medication, and keep diabetes in check.