According to reports, around 47.2% of the US adult population (about 65 million American adults) have some form of periodontitis, an advanced stage of gum disease, also called periodontal disease.
Periodontal disease is serious and needs immediate attention. Many experts believe that lack of information is one of the major reasons why such a huge number of people have some form of gum disease.
Gum disease is basically when your mouth gets filled up with plaque or a fine film of bacteria that causes the gum line to swell. The condition is very serious as it can affect the bone and cause you to lose teeth.
Gum disease can be divided into three types:
- Gingivitis
- Periodontitis
- Advanced Periodontitis
There are several causes of gum diseases, with poor hygiene being the number one cause. However, poor eating habits also largely contribute to gum disease.
To prevent gum disease, it is important to be aware of the signs. Without much ado, let’s have a look at five of the most common signs of gum disease:
1. Bleeding Gums
Healthy gums are pink and do not hurt when brushed. However, a person suffering from gum disease will often experience severe pain and bleeding from the gums while brushing or eating.
This is the most common sign of gum disease, and should never be neglected. If your gums bleed, make sure to consult a Frisco dentist right away.
2. Inflammation in the Gums
The bacteria that forms around the gums make them tender and swollen. One of the initial signs of gum disease is inflammation. It is not painful, however, it affects the overall structure of the jaw and even causes excessive gums to form between your teeth.
3. Shifting Or Loose Teeth
Another sign of gum disease is loosening of the teeth. As your gums get weak, you will feel a pinching pain when you bite or chew. You will also notice your teeth loosening. This is the beginning of serious gum disease and requires immediate attention.
4. Excessive Saliva and Bad Taste in the Mouth
Gum disease is a form of infection that spreads slowly and gets worse if not treated early.
If left untreated, it will cause high production of saliva in your mouth. You will also have a pungent smell (bad breath) and bad taste in the mouth.
5. Gum Recession
Receding gums is one of the last signs of gum disease, and is a very serious problem. It happens due to bacteria getting stuck on the gum causing it to wear away and move from its place. Thus, the tooth gets loose and you begin to see gaps between teeth.
Now that we know the signs of gum diseases, here are a few tips to get it treated:
How to Treat Gum Diseases
- Brush And Floss Regularly: Brushing at least twice a day is necessary because it helps remove plaque, germs and bacteria that is stuck between the gums and teeth.
Here’s where brushing technique is also important. Most dentists suggest to brush the teeth bidirectionally so that both the upper and lower parts of the teeth get cleaned.
Moreover, some dentists, including Dr. Yeap, also recommend using electric toothbrushes as they tend to clean and scrape off bacteria in all directions, especially in the places where it is hard to reach with a normal toothbrush.
It is also important to floss once a day, ideally before you go to sleep at night. Brushing does not remove all food particles and debris, so flossing every day helps keep your teeth and gums clean. - Consume Foods Rich in Nutrition: Make sure to consume a diet that is rich in vitamins and nutrients. Some gum loving foods include carrots, onions, leafy greens, and milk. Your diet may not necessarily reduce gum disease, but it can help prevent it.
- Use the Right Toothpaste: Make sure to use a toothpaste that contains fluoride as it helps to kill bacteria and keep your teeth protected.
- Scaling: Scaling is a technique used by dentists to help heal the affected gum areas. Scaling works by carefully scraping off the inflamed and bad gums with the help of an ultrasonic scaling device or a manual instrument.
Don’t Let Gum Disease Go Untreated
Gum disease is a problem that shouldn’t be neglected at any cost because it not only restricts you from eating but also causes several other problems. Gum disease worsens if left untreated, and can reach an incurable stage, so make sure to make a move fast if you see any early indicators of gum disease.
Contact Signature Dental at our Frisco or Richardson office to schedule an appointment
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I like that you pointed out how a person suffering from gum disease would often experience severe pain and bleeding from the gums while brushing or eating. Our uncle has been complaining about his gums recently and we suspect that it might be due a gum disease. We cannot treat the disease on our own, so we should definitely ask for some help from a gum disease specialist.