You are not the only one who has been told you have gum disease or periodontal disease. Do you know the causes, how to spot them, and what to do if you do get them?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly half of Americans aged 30 and older have some type of periodontal disease. Gum disease is the greatest threat to your dental health.
Different types of gum disease
Gingivitis is an early-stage form of gum disease. Gingivitis is most commonly caused by poor oral hygiene. It causes gums to become reddened and swollen. Bad breath, bleeding gums and difficulty flossing are other signs.
Vera W. L. Tang is a doctor of dentistry and clinical assistant professor of periodontology at NYU College of Dentistry. It can become irritated and swell, forming a gap between the gum and tooth. It can enlarge and allow bacteria and food to become trapped around the tooth.
Dr. Tang explains that gingivitis can be prevented by good oral hygiene. Scaling is a professional cleaning that involves thorough, thorough brushing. This condition will usually resolve if you have good oral hygiene habits and go to regular checkups.
Gingivitis, if not treated properly, can lead to periodontitis. This is a serious condition where the gums pull away from the teeth and create pockets. These pockets can become infected with bacteria, which could lead to bone loss and infection. The tooth may become loose and need to be extracted.
Tang says that certain factors may increase the likelihood of gingivitis becoming periodontitis. Tang says that if you smoke or are diabetic you are more at risk. She adds that if you have any of these risk factors, it is important to treat periodontal disease early.
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How to Prevent Serious Gum Disease
Angelo Mariotti PhD, doctor of dentistry and chair of the Division of Periodontology at Ohio State University College of Dentistry, Columbus, states that you need to catch gingivitis early enough so it doesn’t become periodontitis. This requires a three-pronged approach.
Practice Good Oral Hygiene
Brushing your teeth twice daily and flossing every day are key steps to preventing gum disease. Tang suggests that you use a soft toothbrush to brush your teeth and that you be gentle while doing so. Foods can get stuck between the gumline and the tooth. Use a circular motion to loosen the debris. Use gentle pressure to remove the debris from your gum line.
Tang suggests that you can scrub your chewing surfaces, but not the gum line. You can damage your enamel and cause receding gums if you brush too hard.
Flossing helps remove debris left after brushing. Peter Loomer MD is the chair of periodontology at NYU College of Dentistry. “That’s why flossing in between is so important,” Dr. Loomer explains. Your dentist can teach you how to floss correctly. He explains that if you don’t know how to floss properly, it is possible for you to fail.
Reduce your risk
Dr. Mariotti says, “Talk to your dentist regarding controlling your risk factors.” Smoking increases your risk of developing gum disease. Healthy eating habits can prevent gum disease, and help keep your body healthy. Tang says that hard foods such as carrots can be used to clean and remove debris from teeth surfaces. “Chewing sugarless gum immediately after eating helps saliva flow and wash away debris around your teeth,” Tang says.
Regularly visit the dentist
Your dentist is your partner in maintaining good oral health and preventing the development of gum disease. According to an analysis published December 2016 in the Health Affairs journal, Americans are more likely than any other type of healthcare to neglect regular dental care. Mariotti states that early gum disease doesn’t usually cause pain or symptoms. If you don’t see your dentist regularly, it could progress over years. Your gum health can be monitored by a dentist to monitor how they are changing over time. A checkup with your dentist should be done at least twice per year to remove tartar (calcified plaque). Loomer states that plaque can’t be removed by brushing. It must be removed using special tools.
