A Guide to The Different Types of Gum Disease
Gum bleeding after brushing or flossing could be caused by brushing forcefully with a hard-bristled toothbrush. But, if you notice bleeding of the gums accompanied by darkening of the gums or lingering tooth sensitivity, it could be gum disease. And, you may need to seek general dentistry near you for immediate treatment.
What is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is a condition that affects the gums and the bones around them. It can cause infections, tooth loss, bone damage, and even heart disease if not treated. Gum disease is the number two reason for tooth loss.
Gum disease covers a spectrum of conditions affecting the gums and other structures within or surrounding the mouth. It can be classified by location and degree. Gum disease does not always exhibit symptoms to prevent or identify and may go undetected for some time without any effect.
Gum disease causes swelling and redness of the gums, which often leads to receding gums, loose teeth, and even tooth loss.
Gum disease can be detected early before symptoms present but may go unnoticed if you get regular assessments.
What Causes Gum Disease?
Gum disease can be caused by poor dental health, including frequent consumption of sugary foods and neglecting to brush twice a day. Bacteria in the oral cavity break down the sugary foods and produce a sticky film– plaques. When plaques harden, they form tartar, which causes gum disease.
Other causes of gum diseases include:
- Hormonal imbalance, which often occurs during puberty, pregnancy, menstruation, can make the gum sensitive. This makes it easy for bacteria to creep in and attack the gums.
- Medications
- Compromised immunity
- Smoking
What is the Gum Disease Symptoms?
- Gum redness
- Swelling
- Gum bleeding after brushing or flossing
- Pain when chewing or biting down on food
- Lingering tooth sensitivity
Advanced cases of gum disease may require a periodontist for treatment options. General Dentistry in Los Gato’s professionals commonly uses gingival grafts to patch receding gums and add volume to make teeth more stable. Surgery can also be used to remove excess gum tissue from areas of the mouth, causing the patient discomfort.
What Are the Types of Gum Disease?
There are two main types of gum disease, which include gingivitis and periodontitis.
- Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the mildest form of gum disease, and it makes your gums red, painful, and leaky. Adequate oral hygiene and professional therapy are sufficient for curing gingivitis.
- Periodontitis
Gingivitis can progress to periodontitis if not treated. Plaque might spread and grow beneath the gum line with time. The bacteria in plaque irritate the gums by producing toxins. The toxins induce a persistent inflammatory response in which the body’s tissues and bones are damaged and destroyed. Gums separate from the teeth and form pockets.
These pockets can deepen and harbor bacteria that can destroy the bone. Eventually, the teeth loosen and lead to extraction.
Periodontitis presents in different forms:
- Aggressive periodontitis causes bone destruction.
- Chronic periodontitis. It is the most common type and is causes pocket formation or gum recession.
- Gum disease because of systemic diseases. This sort of periodontitis is associated with systemic disorders, including heart disease, respiratory illness, and diabetes.
- Necrotizing periodontal disease. It occurs when the gum disease affects alveolar bone causing it to die. These conditions are most prevalent among people with systemic disorders such as HIV infection, malnutrition, and immunosuppression.
What are the Treatment Options for Gum Disease?
There are several treatments that you can use to treat gum disease in Los Gatos. However, the treatment will depend on the stage of gum disease.
- Deep cleaning: A thorough, in-depth clean is the first step in treating gum disease. Deep cleaning goes below the gum line, unlike regular cleaning, which is done above the gum line. Dentists will also utilize specific equipment during this procedure.
- Your dentist can perform scaling, which is scraping tartar off both the top and underside of your gum line. They may also utilize root planning. That’s when the rough sides of your tooth roots are smoothed out. It aids in the reattachment of your gums to your teeth.
- Medication: There is no such thing as a gum disease cure-all medication. Still, your dentist may prescribe medications as part of your therapy.
- Gum surgery: A surgeon removes tissue from your palate and places it over any exposed tooth roots to prevent bone loss or decay, as well as help sensitive teeth.
- Flap surgery: Your gums are raised so the surgeon can access tartar deep beneath your gum line. They reattach your gum, making it tight around the tooth to aid in the prevention of more tartar formation.
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Gum disease is preventable, so visit Mountain Bay Dental Implants and Orthodontics for more information about preventing periodontal diseases.