Gum Disease ExplainedPosted by Kelly Hancock on March 5th, 2020 Gum Disease Explained The mouth consists of numerous tissues and other components including the oral mucosa, gums, jawbones, teeth, and more. Due to the moist environment in the mouth, and the fact that it is usually exposed to sugar, acid, and other chemicals from food that we consume, it is inevitable for the mouth to be susceptible to diseases. One of the common conditions that can affect your mouth is periodontitis, or as it is also called periodontal disease or Perio disease. Periodontitis is an infection that affects the gum, causing serious inflammation of the gum tissues around the teeth. This condition then causes harmful bacteria to damage the bone surrounding the teeth. It is a common condition that if not treated can cause tooth loss due to the wearing of the bone and tissues surrounding the teeth. Causes of Periodontitis Gum disease or periodontitis disease is caused by numerous factors, including: Dental Plaque and Tartar Dental periodontitis is caused mostly by dental plaque. A plaque is a layer of sticky film that forms around the teeth. This film contains harmful bacteria that damage the teeth gradually if care is not taken. After sometimes, the plaque hardens and becomes tartar or calculus, which enhances the faster growth of harmful bacteria beneath it. The first stage of periodontal disease is gingivitis. Hormonal Changes In some cases, hormonal changes can make the gum tissues to become more sensitive, especially during puberty, pregnancy, or monthly menstruation. Illness When an illness weakens your immune system, you can grow periodontal disease. Some of the well-known illnesses that can interfere with your immune system include cancer and HIV. Medication Certain medications have been found to affect oral health. This is true particularly if the medication reduces the flow of saliva, which is essential for the protection of gums and teeth. Common medications that can affect your oral health include anticonvulsants. Bad habits Some bad habits may affect such as smoking can cause slower repair of gum tissues. Poor oral hygiene Poor oral hygiene is never good, and studies have shown that this is the leading cause of gum disease. Not regularly brushing your teeth and flossing are two of the common bad oral hygiene. Dental gum disease Gum disease also known to develop into periodontal disease. Gum disease or gingivitis may develop into Perio disease if not treated. Symptoms of Periodontitis The symptoms of periodontal vary from a person to person. For some people, the damage is usually painless but eventually sprouts up suddenly. During its early stages, the disease usually manifests through a number of symptoms, including:
How to Treat Periodontitis The best treatment would be prevention of the disease in the first place. If you can prevent gingivitis from advancing into perio disease you are better off. The treatment of periodontitis may include non-surgical therapies and surgical procedures for the full restructuring of supportive gum architecture to the tooth. Can you get periodontitis from another person? Since periodontitis is caused by bacteria it is highly possible to get the disease from another person through the exchange of saliva. How to prevent periodontitis Periodontal disease can be controlled by getting your teeth cleaned of plaque, at least twice a year. After that, you must brush and floss regularly. Final Words Though it is a common condition, periodontitis can be prevented by proper dental health and routine dental visits. Kelly Hancock, RDH Like it? Share it! More by this author |