Have you ever noticed your gums are puffy, tender and bleeds when you floss your teeth? Poor you. That’s totally a bad sign especially if you’re trying to maintain good oral hygiene. If that is the case, you have gum disease! Also known as periodontal disease, gum disease starts with gingivitis. It’s an infection caused by bacteria.
If gingivitis remains untreated, it could become worse by separating your gum from your teeth creating a bacteria-filled pocket. Now, imagine having termites in your house, it is almost the same as having bacteria beneath your gums. So if you think or find out from your last dental check-up that you have gingivitis, you have to be serious about treating it before it gets worse. This in the blog, you’ll find out more about gum disease and what you can do to restore your oral health.
What causes gum disease?
Usually, advanced gum disease is caused by improper oral hygiene which ultimately leads bacteria in plaque and tartar to remain on the teeth and start to infect the gums. Apart from maintaining poor oral hygiene, other factors also increase the risk of developing gum disease such as:
- Smoking and chewing tobacco. This prevents the gum tissue from healing.
- Overlapping of teeth. This creates more areas for plaque to form and accumulate.
- Hormonal changes (menopause, pregnancy, puberty). These ultimately contribute to developing gingivitis as the increase in hormones causes the blood vessels in the gums to be more vulnerable to a chemical and bacterial outbreak.
What are the signs and symptoms of advanced gum disease?
Usually, a person with gum disease or gingivitis will notice the following:
- A bad mouth odour
- Swollen gums that bleed easily when brushing/flossing
- Pus in between gums or teeth
- Change in the fitting and spacing of the teeth
- Change in the fitting of the dentures
- Plaques on the gums
Does it cause bad breath?
Gum disease (gingivitis) is often associated with bad breath. The bacteria that are often present in the mouth break down tartar and plaque and release chemicals that have a foul odor. Gum disease doesn’t only cause bad breath; it can also come from the plaque that builds up on your tongue.
Now that you know, it’s important always to include cleaning your tongue when brushing. To prevent gum diseases means maintaining your oral hygiene which is as important as maintaining your hair and skin. So, invest in it with the right and the best dental team that specializes in curing gum disease like Roycrest Dental Centre.