Dental Articles - Ajax

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Are you aware that gum disease is relatively more common than people realize? Roughly 50 percent of Americans over 30 have some form of this infection. Over 65, approximately 70.1 percent of Americans have gum disease.

Your mouth is not the only portion of your body gum disease affects because it is associated with many life-threatening conditions throughout your body, including weakening your immune system. Let us review the warning signs of this infection and how it impacts your health. We also provide information on what you should do if you have the warning signs described.

What Is Gum Disease?

Gum disease, alternatively called periodontal disease, is an infection of your gums. The condition results from poor oral hygiene and weakens the tissues holding your teeth in place. If detected early, this infection is reversible by brushing and flossing regularly. However, if the condition advances, it causes permanent damage to your jawbone and results in tooth loss.

Causes of Gum Disease

If you want to learn what causes gum disease, you must consider the microorganisms or the community of bacteria in your mouth.

Are you aware there are 700 different species of bacteria in your mouth? On average, you might have about 72 different strains of bacteria. Fortunately, most bacteria are harmless and helpful to you because it helps break down food to protect your teeth and gums and battle infections.

Unfortunately, harmful bacteria are also present with the potential to cause tooth decay and gum disease. When these microorganisms feast on the sugars and starches in the mouth, they release enamel eroding acids that promote plaque buildup. The sticky substance plaque coats your teeth like a film and hardens into tartar within 48 hours. Tartar is challenging to eliminate by brushing and flossing and needs help from dentists to provide professional cleaning. When plaque and tartar buildup isn’t removed, you experience tooth damage because it causes tooth decay and tooth loss. When left untreated by neglecting professional cleanings, plaque buildup results in gum disease.

The Warning Signs of Gum Disease

Are your gums bleeding when or after brushing? Do you have swollen, tender, and red gums? Do you see your gums receding or loosening and shifting of your teeth? Do you have persistent bad breath besides changes in your bite? These are the warning signs that you are affected by gum disease. However, gum disease doesn’t display any warning signs until it has advanced. It is why dentists recommend getting six monthly professional teeth cleanings diligently because it prevents the need for intensive treatments.

What Happens During Professional Teeth Cleanings?

When you visit your dentist for teeth cleanings, the dentist will examine your mouth to determine a prevention plan or treatment for gum disease. They also recommend that you diligently care for your teeth and gums by adopting excellent dental hygiene practices. So long as you accept the dentist’s suggestions and adhere to them, you can rest assured your condition will not progress further.

Difference between Gingivitis and Periodontitis

Gingivitis, an inflammation of your gums, is a precursor to severe periodontitis. Fortunately, gum disease is entirely reversible when detected early by merely brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing because they are sufficient to reverse gingivitis. However, you will notice visibly inflamed gums and breeding when brushing with gingivitis.

The severe stage of gingivitis is called periodontitis, and if you have allowed gingivitis to progress, your gums pull away from your teeth to create deep pockets prone to infections. As your immune system tries to battle the disease, the breakdown of tissue and bone holding your teeth in place occurs. Eventually, the breakdown results in bone and tooth loss.

The warning signs of periodontitis include swollen, red, or bleeding gums, receding gums, visible pockets between your teeth and gums, pain when biting or chewing, and shifting teeth. You must seek gum disease treatment in Ajax, ON, without wasting time if you notice these warning signs.

Are There Preventive Measures for Gum Disease?

Gum disease affects over 50 percent of American adults, but the condition is relatively preventable. Some preventive measures you can adopt include the following:

• Get your teeth professionally cleaned and examined at six monthly intervals. Brush your teeth two times per day for two meet each using fluoride toothpaste.
• Floss daily without exceptions.
• Quit smoking and vaping.
• Eat a balanced diet.

Following the preventive measures can help avoid a devastating infection in the mouth that requires intensive and expensive treatments for life.

If you experience the symptoms of gum disease described in this article, kindly schedule an appointment with Rossland Landing Dental Care to receive gum disease treatment in Ajax. Delay the treatment any further, and you might require tooth replacement solutions sooner than expected.

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Dentist Ajax