Hi, I’m Tom from Toothpaste, and welcome to our guide to gum disease.
The Importance of Gum Health
Now, everybody knows that a lack of brushing and not looking after your teeth can lead to tooth decay, but there are two main aspects of dental health. One is the teeth themselves. The other is the foundation of the teeth, the gums.
Risks of Neglecting Gum Care
If we have problems with the gums, we can end up losing perfectly healthy teeth.
Understanding Gum Pockets
Even in health, we have a pocket which goes between the teeth and the gums, of about two to three millimeters.
The Consequences of Poor Oral Hygiene
Now, if we are not very vigilant with our regular oral hygiene, we can get the build-up of plaque, food, and tartar in these areas, which causes inflammation.
Comparing Gums to Cuts
Just like a cut on the back of your hand, if we get dirt in it, it’s going to get swollen and red and infected. And as with a cut on the back of your hand, you must get in there, get the area clean, it can bleed, it can be a bit tender, but that’s what you have to do to get in there.
Progression of Gum Disease
When this inflammation is present for a long period of time, it can result in the breakdown of the bone and ligament in the gum. In its early stages, it’s known as gingivitis, but over long periods of time, it results in further breakdown of bone, and it’s called periodontitis.
From Gingivitis to Periodontitis
Now, when it’s in its early stages with just soft plaque, you can get rid of that plaque with just good brushing and flossing. Once you get the hard tartar forming, you are never going to be able to brush that away. That’s when you need to get to the dentist for a good clean.
The Long-Term Effects of Gum Disease
In the long term, your gum disease can result in recession of the gums, exposure of the root surface, sensitivity, loose teeth, wobbly teeth, and in extreme circumstances abscesses, which ultimately can result in extraction.
Treatment and Maintenance
Remember that if you’ve got gum disease and it’s getting treated by your dentist, it can bleed and be a bit tender, just like cleaning out that infected cut. If necessary, it can be done under anaesthetic.
Other Contributing Factors
It’s important to remember, there are some other factors as well, that can contribute towards gum disease, smoking, diabetes, and other systemic factors, can increase your risk of it.
Gum Disease and Systemic Health
Gum disease has also been shown to have links to heart disease. So that just emphasizes the importance of getting onto these issues early, especially as the fact that gum disease can go under the radar.
Early Detection and Regular Check-ups
In its early stages, you won’t get any pain or sensitivity. By the time you’re feeling anything at all, it’s going to be far progressed. So, it’s important to keep up on those regular checks and cleans, to identify any issues early.
If you want some more information on gum disease, click on those links below, or give us a call at the practice, book an appointment online, and our friendly team can help you out.
