If You Ignore Your Gums, You May Lose Your Teeth

Here are the six signs of gum disease

• Your gums bleed when you brush
• Your gums are swollen and red
• You have a bad breath
• Your gums are receding/ moving towards your jaws
• You have started developing pockets. Healthy gums are tightly fitted to your teeth. When they are inflamed, they start separating from your tooth, and there is a space formed in between your tooth and gum which is known as a pocket.
• Your teeth are getting loose/drifting

What causes gingivitis?

The following factors can cause gingivitis

Improper brushing

When you don't brush your teeth style="mso-ansi-language:EN-IN" lang="EN-IN">, there's a plaque build-up. Plaque is a sticky, colourless material seen on your tooth and has plenty of bacteria. When you have food especially sugar or sweets, bacteria in your mouth interact with them, and form plaque. Plaque irritates your gums causing gingivitis.

No flossing

Plaque also settles down in between your teeth and flossing helps you clean that. Uncleaned plaque can cause style="mso-ansi-language:EN-IN" lang="EN-IN">.

Crooked teeth

They can prevent athorough cleaning and cause gingivitis.

Hormonal changes

Hormonal style="mso-ansi-language:EN-IN" lang="EN-IN"> especially during your puberty, periods, pregnancy, and menopause (when you no longer get your periods) make your gums more sensitive and you develop gingivitis.

Systemic diseases

Diseases such as AIDS/Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome, cancer, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis can weaken your immunity and cause gingivitis.

Medicines

Few medicines such as those used to treat heart diseases and diabetes can cause gingivitis.

Smoking

Tobacco can affect your whole body including your style="mso-ansi-language:EN-IN" lang="EN-IN">.

Why should you treat gingivitis?

If you do not treat gingivitis, it can progress to periodontitis. If you suspect gingivitis, meet your dentist soon. They do a professional cleaning known as scaling to remove hidden plaque and tartar from your mouth. It helps you heal your gingivitis.Your dentist may advise you a mouthwash if needed.

If left untreated it progresses to periodontitis. Periodontitis is a severe form of gingivitis which has spread to the underlying bone that supports your teeth. In periodontitis, your gums are puffy, dusky red to purplish, and bleed easily upon touch. There is pus in between and under your teeth, and you have pain while chewing.

Your gums move towards your bone; thus, you see new spaces in between your teeth. You have deeper pockets which make it easier for the food and plaque to settle down there and you need a professional cleaning to remove the same. If you do not address this issue, plaque hardens to form calculus which further destroys your bones.

In Periodontitis, your teeth are looser and may fall. Your jaws have individual sockets which support your tooth and make sure they are in place. When gingivitis spreads to your alveolar bone, there is a bone loss; thus, your teeth start moving as they don't have enough support by your alveolar bone and your teeth gradually get more and more loose.

What can you do prevent tooth loss?

Meet your style="mso-ansi-language:EN-IN" lang="EN-IN"> at least every six months. Brush twice a day with a good quality toothbrush and toothpaste. Learn the right method of brushing from your dentist and remember to clean before bedtime. Do floss once a day. It makes sure you have no plaque before going to bed. Otherwise, it may harden to form tartar/calculus and lead to periodontitis. Clean your tongue every day.

Have a healthy dietrich in fruits and vegetables and avoid sweets or chocolates especially at night. If possible rinse your mouth after having food each time.

Stop smoking, avoid stress and practice stress busters such as meditation. Set a healthy routine such as adequate exercise and healthy sleep. Be sure to exercise at least for 30 minutes a day and sleep at least for 7 hours a day. They prevent a lot of diseases including gingivitis.

Article kindly provided by dentalhygieneblog.com