Did you know that one of the characteristics of a healthy smile is healthy gums? Most people forget about the gums as they tend to focus more on their teeth. But, the gums are just as important. They keep the teeth in place, protect the teeth and jawbone from bacteria, and improve the appearance of your smile.
Because of neglect, gum disease remains to be a serious dental concern— and this is despite it being highly preventable. Without proper treatment, gum disease may cause red and swollen gums that may bleed easily. Eventually, this will progress to irreversible periodontitis which affects the jawbone.
So, what do you do when you have gum disease and what can you do to prevent it? Here’s a quick read to help you understand more about gum disease.
What is gum disease?
Gum disease, or gingivitis, is the gum tissue infection surrounding your teeth. While there are many reasons why gum disease may occur, the main culprit is bacteria from plaque build-up.
In itself, plaque is entirely not harmful. It actually commonly occurs in the mouth, especially after you eat. But, when plaque begins to accumulate around and underneath the gums, this is when it becomes a problem. If left to progress, this plaque will cause irritation, swelling, redness, sensitivity, and pain.
Despite this, gum disease is reversible for as long as treatment is done as soon as possible. Otherwise, serious gum disease may lead to periodontal disease (periodontitis), a severe complication of gingivitis that can cause tooth loss.
Signs and Symptoms of Gum Disease
Gum disease progresses slowly, but steadily. During its very early stages, noticeable signs and symptoms may not be present. But, if they do show up, here are some of the signs you should look out for:
- Redness or inflammation of the gums
- Bleeding gums
- Soft or tender gums
- Receding gum line
- Tooth sensitivity
- Pain or discomfort when brushing teeth
But, advanced gum disease or periodontitis is a different thing with serious symptoms such as loose teeth, severe gum recession causing exposed tooth roots, persistent bad breath, and pus on the gums. Urgent treatment of early gum disease should be done to prevent these conditions.
Causes of Gum Disease
There are many reasons why a person may suffer from gum disease. Here’s a look at these common causes:
Plaque build-up is the most common cause of gum disease
If you allow plaque to build up, bacteria also thrive. These remain stuck on the tooth or in the gumline, which will cause irritation, and eventually, gum disease.
Poor oral hygiene contributes to gum disease
With that being said, poor oral hygiene is largely to blame for gum disease. Failure to brush the teeth properly causes plaque to accumulate to irritate the gums, eventually leading to gingivitis.
Several underlying conditions and risk factors are involved in gum disease
Changes in hormones, systemic diseases (cancer, diabetes, HIV), medications, vitamin deficiencies, smoking, and genetics are some of the risk factors that increase your chances of getting gum disease.
7 Steps to Restore Gum Health
You can manage the effects of gum disease with early detection and intervention. Follow these steps to help restore the health and beauty of your smile, reduce the complications associated with gum disease, and maintain excellent oral health.
- Get treated for gum disease
The first step in dealing with gum disease is to get treated as soon as possible. Depending on how severe the condition is, treatment for gum disease may range from a simple teeth cleaning, scaling and root planing, and even surgical procedures such as pocket surgery. Once this is done, you can focus on restoring and maintaining your gum health.
- Brush your teeth twice a day
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush with fluoride-rich toothpaste to remove plaque and debris that may irritate the gums.
- Use a dental floss after every meal
Flossing helps remove plaque and food particles from hard to reach areas such as underneath the gum line and behind your back teeth. Make sure to get in between each tooth and to curve the floss thread in the gumline to remove plaque attached to the tooth root.
- Rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash
Use an antibacterial mouthwash to swish away any remaining dirt. This provides a whole mouth clean and keeps the breath fresh. Use products with chlorhexidine in its active ingredient list. This is the gold standard for mouthwashes as it keeps the gums and its surrounding structures healthy by eliminating bacteria and reducing inflammation.
- Avoid tobacco products
Tobacco can cause gum irritation. It can also weaken the immune system, making the body more vulnerable to bacteria and infection. Avoid smoking tobacco products to keep your oral health and overall wellbeing in good condition.
- Eat a balanced diet
A diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, especially Vitamin C, fiber, and Omega-3, is vital to keeping strong and healthy gums. Collagen production is important in maintaining the health of the gums as it strengthens the gums and prevents tissue damage.
- Visit your dentist for a routine check-up and cleaning
Patients with gum disease may be required to visit the dentist every 4 months for routine cleaning. This will help repair the gums until they are healthy. Then, maintenance visits are recommended twice a year as a preventive measure.
Conclusion
Gum disease is one of the most common dental problems in Canada. Statistics show that up to 21% of Canadian adults have had, or are experiencing gum disease. But, with focus on preventive measures, such as good oral hygiene and routine dental visits, we can help prevent this problem.
If you want to learn more about gum disease prevention or need to get your gums checked for possible gum disease, our team is here to help you out! Contact us today to schedule your appointment and let us get you started on achieving a healthy smile with healthy gums.