Don't Let Gum Disease Take a Bite Out of Your Oral Health

The leading cause of gum disease is plaque buildup on the teeth. Plaque is a sticky film that forms when bacteria mix with saliva and foods in your mouth. If not managed accordingly by brushing, flossing, and routine cleaning, plaque can harden into tartar, irritating the gums and resulting in infection.

• Gums Bleeding When Brushing or Flossing ‍
  Most people will notice bleeding gums as the first early gum disease sign. It is caused by accumulated plaque that inflames and irritates the gingiva, making it easier to bleed.
• Gum Discolouration and Inflammation
  You might also observe that your gums don’t appear to be normal. Healthy gums are generally light pink in colour, though this can differ for individuals of certain ethnicities. Your gums may appear red or dark in the early stages of gum disease. Your gums might also swell, indicating gingivitis or gum inflammation.
• Gum Tenderness and Sensitivity
  Your gums will be tender and sensitive to heat, cold, and chewing pressure. Small amounts of sensitivity are nothing to be concerned about, but if you experience severe sensitivity that lasts for more than a week, you should visit a dentist immediately.
• Halitosis (Bad Breath) ‍Gum disease might be present if you consistently have bad breath. Bad breath brought on by gum disease might not go away, even if you use mouthwash and brush your teeth frequently.

If your gum disease is not yet severe, you can prevent its progression by having the following management:

• Scaling:
  Tartar and bacteria from tooth surfaces and the gum line are removed during scaling. It is performed using dental scalers, a laser, or an ultrasonic device.
• Root Planing.
  It is like scaling but performed on the roots of your teeth, which are located below the gum line. It smooths the surface of the roots to prevent further buildup of tartar. It also removes bacteria and their byproducts that cause inflammation and delays the healing of gingival attachment.

The following practices can also prevent the progression of your gum disease:

• Practise Good Oral Hygiene
  After the dental scaling and root planing procedure, you must practise good oral hygiene. It includes brushing your teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and flossing once daily. Doing this lessens the recurrence of plaque buildup.
• Get More Vitamin C
  Vitamin C has healing and anti-inflammatory properties that can stop gum bleeding and swelling.
• Drink Plenty of Water
  Drinking water washes away food residue. It reduces the likelihood of tartar accumulation.

Gum disease can lead to various serious health problems if it is not managed. Some research has suggested that there may be a link between gum disease and the following conditions:

• Heart disease:
  The bacteria that cause gum disease can enter your bloodstream. When that happens, it travels to your heart and directly infects the weak heart valves.
• Stroke:
  Bleeding and inflammation of gums may lead to changes in blood flow and oxygen flow to the brain.
• Diabetes:
  The inflammation of your gums can increase your blood glucose or sugar, contributing to a higher risk of diabetes.
• Respiratory Infections:
  Some of the bacteria that cause gum disease can also cause lower airway infections, such as pneumonia.

The early stages of the disease can be managed at home with good oral hygiene practices. This includes brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day and using antibacterial mouthwash to remove plaque and bacteria from the tooth surfaces.

However, it is still important to see your dentist regularly. Without this regular checkup, it may be difficult to determine if current measures are effective in managing the condition.

If gum disease has become more serious, which is often indicated by gingival loss or deep pockets around the teeth, it is essential to visit a dentist who may recommend more aggressive treatments. Therefore, regular checkups with a dental professional are key to the management of gum disease.

If you have gum disease, it is essential that you see your dentist regularly. Your dentist will monitor and make an assessment of the health of your gums and recommend the appropriate course of action. You may need to visit the dentist every three to four months for professional cleanings and management, depending on the severity of your condition.

Bacteria from gum infections can enter the bloodstream and affect other organs. It is also shown in some studies that people with gum disease are more likely to experience complications during pregnancy, such as premature birth or low-birth-weight babies. Additionally, gum disease patients often have lower energy levels and may experience a higher rate of tooth loss.