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What is gum disease and what does it affect?
Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is a common oral condition that affects the structures within the mouth. When you hear your dentist talking about gingivitis, this is the most mild or moderate form of gum disease. Gingivitis will only affect the soft tissues within the mouth.
More advanced forms of the disease infect bones and supporting structures of the teeth. If left untreated this dental condition can lead to bone loss and other painful complications.
What are the main causes of gum disease in adults?
A number of factors can contribute to your risk of developing gum disease, including plaque and bacteria buildup in the mouth, hormonal shifts, smoking, nutritional deficiencies, some prescription medications, uneven teeth and even genetics.
Bleeding gums when you are brushing your teeth is a sign that you are experiencing gingivitis or gum disease and should contact your dentists for an examination.
If it is left too long, your body will try to rid itself of undisturbed bacteria by sending more blood to your gums. The excess blood may cause swelling, soreness, bleeding and redness. Your body thinks it has an infection - this is called gingivitis, and it won't heal until the source of the infection is eliminated.
Bacteria can be found in plaque, tartar or calculus, pockets beneath the gums (in cases of advanced gum disease), cavities, abscesses and chipped teeth. They may also hide in old dental work, as repairs to your teeth create an edge or margin that bacteria can adhere to.
What steps can I take to help avoid gum disease?
While you may search for a shortcut to good oral health we can say that there isn't one. In order to maintain good oral health you need to make sure to brush and floss every single day.
While gum disease doesn't take a single potential cause to develop, each one of the causes listed above will contribute to the decline of your oral health. If you maintain a rigorous and thorough oral hygiene routine, it will be very difficult for gum disease to start to take hold.
For example, while you may be prone to plaque buildup (perhaps due to genetics), as long as you brush and floss your teeth twice a day and visit your dentist as prescribed for regular professional cleanings and checkups, chances are that gum disease will not be able to fully develop.
Whether a pregnancy causes a hormonal shift, you take prescription medication or are a regular smoker, the most common cause of gum disease is the unimpeded development of bacteria and plaque in the mouth.
When you keep up with a good oral hygiene routine you can help protect your oral health. While the issues listed above can increase your risk (and make prevention more challenging), whether it actually develops comes down to the decisions you make every day about your oral health practices.