What is gum disease?
Gum disease is a bacterial infection of your gums. It’s the leading cause of tooth loss in adults and has also been linked to serious non-oral health complications, such as diabetes, strokes, hypertension, and heart disease.
What are the symptoms of gum disease?
Some of the symptoms of gum disease include:
- Red, tender, or swollen gums
- Receding gums, or longer-looking teeth
- Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
- Bad breath
- Loose teeth
Gum disease is known to develop “silently,” meaning that its symptoms are sometimes not noticeable until the disease has progressed into an advanced stage.
Dr. Adli is trained to recognize gum disease at its earliest stages, which is why it’s so important to maintain regular cleanings and checkups.
What causes gum disease?
Gum disease is caused by plaque, a sticky, colorless substance that accumulates on your teeth when you eat or drink substances that contain sugars and starches.
Plaque can be removed with normal brushing and flossing. If left on your teeth for too long, though, it hardens beneath your gumline, becoming “tartar,” which can require a professional cleaning for removal.
Both plaque and tartar are full of bacteria that irritate your gums. This chronic irritation is what causes gum disease.
What are the stages of gum disease?
There are two stages to gum disease: gingivitis and periodontitis.
In gingivitis, the bacteria in plaque and tartar have just begun to irritate your gums, leaving them swollen and tender. Your gums might bleed when you brush or floss, but there is no permanent damage yet.
Gingivitis is actually fully reversible with regular dental cleanings and improved oral hygiene. If it’s not treated, however, it can develop into periodontitis.
In periodontitis, your irritated gums begin to pull away from your teeth, creating “pockets” between your teeth and gums. These pockets collect debris and bacteria and become easily infected, which causes your body’s immune system to fight the infection with antibodies and enzymes.
These enzymes, as well as the bacteria in the plaque and tartar, eat away at the bone and connective tissue holding your teeth in place. This creates even deeper pockets, which continue to get infected and deepen.
Eventually, the infection fully destroys the structures holding your teeth in place, leaving them unanchored and susceptible to falling out.
Make sure your gums are healthy by scheduling a visit at Greater Long Beach Dental today. You can book your visit by phone or online.
