Gum Disease Consciousness
It is possible to have bacteria living comfortably inside the gums for extended periods of time. This is especially aided by the behavior of eating sugary foods. Bacteria find the wet and warm conditions of the mouth quite ideal for their survival. These bacteria are responsible for causing gum diseases. With the progression of the gum disease there are more damages to the mouth due to the increase and spread of bacteria.
Gingivitis: Gingivitis is understood as where gum diseases begin. Longer periods with tartar and plaque in the mouth make gingivitis even more dangerous. These bacteria cause gum inflammation which is commonly referred to as gingivitis. Gingivitis causes the gums to swell, become reddish, and may cause bleeding. Gingivitis is essentially a minor version of gum disease. This condition can be treated by simply flossing the teeth, brushing the teeth daily, or through a mouth wash. Treatment cleaning by a dental hygienist can also solve gingivitis. The nature of this gum disease doesn’t entail loss of tissue or bones holding the teeth into position. Few people actually consider the possibility of suffering gum disease.
Periodontitis: If gingivitis is not reversed it could graduate to become periodontitis. This is the inflammation seen around a person’s mouth. Periodontitis causes the gums to stretch further from spaces and teeth. The spaces left get an infection. The immune system of the body tries to fight the periodontitis bacteria even as the plaque advances beneath the gum line. The natural response of the body to infections and bacterial toxins break the bone down as well as the connective tissue holding teeth into position. If periodontitis isn’t treated, the gum, tissue, and bones supporting the teeth will get destroyed. This might result in teeth becoming too loose hence requiring their removal.
Risk factors for gum disease
Diabetes: People suffering diabetes have a very high risk of developing tooth infections and even gum disease.
Hormonal change both in women and girls: These hormonal alterations could cause the gums to become more sensitive hence making it easy for gingivitis to develop.
Smoking: Smoking is known to put a person at significant risk of developing gum disease. Smoking could also minimize the chances of getting successful treatment.
Medication: Many medicine prescriptions are known to interfere with saliva flow. Saliva has protective qualities in the mouth. Limited amounts of saliva inside the mouth can make a person become more susceptible to infections like periodontitis, gingivitis, and even gum disease. Some medications could result in abnormal gum tissue growth hence making it more of a challenge to maintain clean gums and teeth.
Genetic vulnerability: There are certain people who are more susceptible to gum disease compared to others due to the genetic makeup of their gums.
Other illnesses: people suffering from diseases like AIDS take medication that could have grave effects on their gum’s health. Cancer treatment can also harm the gums.
Who is at risk of getting gum disease?
Most people don’t show gum disease signs before their 30s or even 40s. Gum diseases are more common in men than they are in women. Teenagers seldom develop periodontitis although they can get gingivitis. Often gum diseases thrive when a person allows plaque to build up underneath or along their gum line.
