Signs & Symptoms Of Gum Disease
For optimal overall health, it is essential that you keep your mouth healthy. Unfortunately, today’s lifestyle leads to many dental problems, among which gum problems require significant attention. Dr. Felicia Mata-Stein, one of Kenosha’s leading dentists, says scheduling regular dental exams and teeth cleanings will help prevent gum disease when following a good oral care regime.
Poor diet and oral hygiene are the leading cause of dental problems amongst Kenosha patients. Studies show that most American adults suffer from gum problems ranging from minor inflammations to severe diseases.
Many patients tend to wait to have a gum disease evaluation until the condition has already become too aggravated. The gum tissues and bones holding the teeth start getting severely damaged at advanced stages. So how would you know you are suffering from gum disease so that you can take proper care? Our dentist at Denthetics, LLC points out that the initial symptoms of gum diseases include bleeding, bad breath, gum recession, which means gums are pulling downwards, and a bad taste in the mouth.
Causes Of Gum Disease
To help you know more about gum diseases and their symptoms, we’ll talk about the two most common gum infections, gingivitis and periodontitis, and their symptoms. Untreated gingivitis leads to Periodontitis, which causes severe damage, tooth loss, and other health problems.
Gingivitis
Is a mild form of Periodontitis and is caused due to poor oral hygiene. The initial symptoms might include swelling of gums and bleeding while brushing and flossing. While many people think it’s natural for gums to bleed during brushing, it is wrong. If you see blood while brushing, you should see a dentist at the earliest. Unfortunately, at times people don’t see any symptoms, which is why gingivitis becomes aggravated to develop severe periodontal diseases.
Poor, inadequate diet, stress, diabetes, smoking, and aging, can cause gingivitis or gum disease. Certain medications can also cause gum infections.
Periodontitis
Untreated Gingivitis advances to Periodontitis. If a person suffers from Periodontitis, the gums pull away from the teeth, forming open pockets where bacteria can build. The bacteria formed in these pockets irritate the gums, as a result of which the body starts breaking the bones and soft tissues to protect the teeth from damage and hold it in place. Eventually, the damage increases, and the teeth become loose. They ultimately have to be removed.
Types of Periodontitis or Gum Disease include:
- Aggressive Gum Disease or Periodontitis: Occurs in people who are otherwise healthy; symptoms include bone destruction, attachment loss, and familial aggregation.
- Chronic Gum Disease or Periodontitis: This type of periodontitis is most common in people and results in inflammation of supporting tissues, bone loss, and progressive attachment. Adults predominantly suffer from this periodontal disease, but it can occur at any age.
- Necrotizing Periodontal Disease: This type of infection is characterized by necrosis of periodontal tissues, alveolar bone, and periodontal ligament. These infections are common in persons suffering from malnutrition or HIV infection.
Periodontitis starts at a young age, and if you do not treat it adequately, it can lead to other systemic diseases like respiratory diseases, heart diseases, and diabetes.
Book An Appointment To Prevent Gum Disease
Our dentist, Dr. Felicia Mata-Stein says the best way to stave off gum diseases is by making regular trips to her Kenosha dentist office for regular dental exams and teeth cleanings. Our Kenosha dentist can help you understand the early signs and symptoms that lead to gum infections.