What Is Gum Disease?
Poor oral health and poor oral hygiene practices can result in a variety of health risks and concerns. One main health concern is gum disease. Here are the facts you need to know about gum disease and how it affects your overall health.
What Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease, periodontitis, is a severe gum infection that can destroy the jawbone and damage your gums. This disease is caused by poor oral hygiene and can lead to tooth loss.
What Are The Symptoms?
The symptoms of periodontitis include gums that are:
- Swollen
- Red
- Tender
- Bad breath
- Receding gums
- Toothache
- Frequent bleeding
Types Of Gum Disease
The most common types of gum disease are:
- Gingivitis
- Aggressive periodontitis
- Chronic periodontitis
- Periodontitis manifesting as systemic diseases
- Necrotizing periodontal disease
Gingivitis
Gingivitis causes red, swollen, and inflamed gums. This is also known as the mildest form of periodontitis. At this stage of gum disease, you may experience little to no pain or discomfort. Factors that promote gingivitis include smoking, genetic predisposition, stress, and a variety of other factors.
Periodontitis
Periodontitis is the result of untreated gingivitis. During this stage of gum disease, plaque exceeds below the gum line. Then, toxins produced by plaque begin to irritate the gums. As time progresses and it goes untreated, gum tissue and bone become destroyed. This can be incredibly painful and uncomfortable, especially when chewing food.
Aggressive Periodontitis
Aggressive periodontitis occurs in people who are overall healthy, except for a few factors. They might experience familial aggression, bone destruction, and rapid attachment loss.
Chronic Periodontitis
Chronic gum disease occurs when the tissues that support the teeth become inflamed, and progressive bone loss occurs. This type of disease can occur in people of all ages, but it often affects adults.
Periodontitis Manifestation
This type often starts at a young age. Periodontitis manifesting as a systemic disease is frequently associated with respiratory disease, heart disease, and diabetes.
Necrotizing Periodontal Disease
Necrotizing periodontal disease is an infection that involves necrosis, an injury the results in premature cell death in living tissues. This form of the disease is seen in individuals who have a variety of health conditions like malnutrition, HIV, and immunosuppression.
How Can We Help?
In the beginning stages of gum disease, we educate our patients on the proper brushing and flossing techniques that promote good oral hygiene. In addition, we recommend getting regularly scheduled professional cleanings by our highly-skilled and certified dentists to ensure you maintain optimum oral health.
At Wytheville Dental Group, we understand your need for a trustworthy dentist. We uphold the highest standards while providing positive experiences for our patients. The staff here at Wytheville Dental Group include highly-skilled and trained clinicians. Not only that, but we use innovative technology to ensure a safe and comfortable experience. Contact us today to inquire about our professional dental services. We look forward to hearing from you.
