Gum disease is a common dental problem, especially among people who have poor oral hygiene. There are two main types of gum disease which are infections medically known as periodontal disease, which affects not just the gums, but also the tissues and bones around and supporting the teeth. There are two types of gum disease: gingivitis and periodontitis with the latter having variations.
Gingivitis
This is the most common but also the mildest form of gum disease. The common symptoms of gingivitis are red and swollen gums which bleed easily. This usually develops unnoticed or it is often taken for granted because there is no discomfort and pain at this stage. The only noticeable sign is that the gums easily bleed during flossing or brushing.
There are various causes why gingivitis develops. The most common is inadequate oral hygiene. People who don’t brush or floss their teeth thoroughly and who don’t get regular dental cleaning develop this kind of gum disease. Aside from lack of good oral hygiene, other factors that lead to gingivitis are the following: stress, hormonal fluctuation, smoking, diabetes and other medical conditions.
Periodontitis
When gingivitis is left untreated, it develops and advances into periodontitis. It is a more severe form of gum disease. This happens when the plaque build-up has spread below the gum line. The toxins and bacteria in the plaque irritate the gums, which eventually affects the bones and tissues that support the teeth. Once this happens, the gums separate from the teeth, forming spaces between them. These spaces, known as pockets, easily become infected. When the disease advances and progresses, the pockets deepen, causing more damage to the gum tissue and bones. Eventually, the teeth will become loose and damaged. Aside from this, periodontitis also cause other issues such as bad breath, gums pulled away from the teeth, pus coming off the gums and difficulty or discomfort in biting.
Periodontitis have various types. They are as follows: aggressive and chronic periodontitis, periodontitis as a manifestation of systematic disease and necrotizing periodontal disease.
Do not let your gingivitis develop into something more serious. Always observe good oral hygiene and visit the dentist regularly. You could end up losing your teeth and suffer from other complications of gum disease. It’s just a matter of taking care of your teeth and gums.
So if you think that you might have gum disease like gingivitis, seek immediate professional help. There is nothing better than early treatment. Make an appointment with East Valley Dental Professionals and we will take care of your teeth and gums and ensure we are treating the types of gum disease that you have, with the best proper medical treatment available.. Contact us today.