Gum Disease
Gum disease is a very common condition that can affect almost anyone. Hence, it pays to know the symptoms or warning signs, as well as the risk factors that can make you more susceptible to it. It is an inflammation due to infection of the gums that support your teeth. In adults, it can lead to tooth loss. Gum disease is usually painless when it is just starting as gingivitis, or even when it is in its moderate to severe stage, referred to as periodontitis. The condition is caused by plaque, the sticky film of bacteria that is constantly forming on our teeth and the gum line.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
To know if you have gum disease, here are some warning signs that can signal a problem:
Your gums are red, swollen, and tender to touch. These signs usually go unnoticed since pain is generally absent. The gums may bleed during brushing and flossing, though infrequently, you tend to overlook it. Some of your teeth may feel loose or wobbly, or sometimes they drift or separate.
There will be times, when looking at yourself in the mirror, you think that your teeth are elongating. Little did you know that the gums are receding, pulling away from the teeth they used to hug tightly. If a dentist looks into this at this time, you will be told that gum pockets have already formed. As the disease advances, the deeper will the pockets be and the more bacteria will lodge therein.
You will also notice that you have bad breath that will not go away with simple brushing or rinsing with mouthwash. The foul odor is persistent, as well as a lingering bad taste in the mouth. This is due to the presence of bacterial infection, especially under the gum line. You will also notice a change in the way your teeth come together when you bite. Some of the teeth may not occlude properly, changing your bite, and can be due to drifting of a tooth, or its loss. An abnormal bite puts additional stress on your gums or jaw. This is also true if there is any change in the fit of your partial dentures.
Risk Factors
Here are some risk factors that may increase your risk for gum disease:
One risk factor is poor oral hygiene; the neglect or irregular brushing or flossing leads to plaque buildup. Smoking or chewing tobacco is another because it can lower your resistance to infection. Crooked teeth that are hard to clean makes them prone to plaque buildup. Pregnancy is another factor, where changes in hormones make you prone to gum infection. Diabetes similarly does the same. Certain medications can dry your mouth and make your gums susceptible. Finally, genetics. It can run in families.
SourceRegular Dental Visits Warn Against Gum Disease
When you see any of these signs, be sure to pay us a visit at Song Dental in Lynnwood. Here we can help you determine if you have gum disease. The earlier, the better. We’d also find out if you have risk factors that increase your susceptibility.
