Let's Talk Gum Disease
Let's Talk Gum Disease
Did you know gum disease has the ability to travel through the bloodstream and affect the heart, lungs, and other parts of the body? Gingivitis is the beginning diagnosis of gum disease. Eventually, if left untreated, gingivitis can turn into periodontitis which is significantly harder to manage. Taking gum health seriously is the only way to prevent gum disease.
Symptoms of gingivitis:
- Swollen or puffy gums
- Dusky red or dark red gums
- Gums that bleed easily when you
Brush or Floss
- Bad breath
- Receding gums
- Tender gums
How does gingivitis occur?
Plaque is an invisible, sticky film that forms on your teeth when natural bacteria interact with food and/or sugars you intake daily. Brushing your teeth and flossing helps remove the plaque that is formed, but if regular oral hygiene isn’t practiced, the plaque can turn into tartar. Tartar is more brutal to rid yourself of, as you must see a dentist to scrape the tartar off your teeth and away from your gums. Tartar makes plaque more difficult to remove and causes irritation along the gum line. If the tarter is not removed, your gums become swollen and bleed easily, resulting in gingivitis, then periodontitis, and eventually tooth loss.
Anyone can develop gingivitis but here are some risk factors:
- Poor oral care habits
- Smoking and chewing tobacco
- Older age
- Dry mouth
- Poor nutrition, including vitamin C deficiency
- Dental restorations that do not fit properly or crooked teeth that are difficult to clean
- Certain drugs, such as phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek) for epileptic seizures, and some calcium channel blockers, used for angina, high blood pressure, and other conditions
- Hormonal changes, those related to pregnancy, menstruation, and birth control
- Genetics
- Medical conditions such as viral and fungal infections
How can I prevent gum disease?
- Practicing good oral hygiene.
- See your dentist for regular dental cleanings (every 6-12 months). Contact Aesthetic
Family Dental Care at (480) 210-0471 to schedule your appointment today.
- Eat healthily and manage blood sugar.
“Gingivitis.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 4 Aug. 2017, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gingivitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354453