While some have been quite lucky about the health of their teeth and gums, most of us are not so lucky. Though the usual brushing and flossing is able to keep most of the danger at bay, sometimes it’s your very genetics that can end up working against you. There many dental problems to watch out for and it only increases as you age. Sadly, one of the sneakiest and most common oral health problem of all is gum disease.
What Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease refers to an infection of the tissue that surrounds and supports your teeth. Also known as periodontal disease, gum disease is caused by a sticky film of bacteria that forms on our teeth called plaque. Sadly, gum disease is a major cause of tooth loss in adults. Many people do not even know they have it due to its painlessness.
What Increases The Risks Of Gum Disease?
Though gum disease is quite common and can occur at any age, there are few factors that increase your risk of gum disease. One factor is simply genetics. If someone in your family has suffered from this condition, it is much more likely that you will or do have it as well.
Poor habits can easily cause gum disease as well. Those who have poor dental hygiene, an unhealthy diet, or are smokers can greatly increase the risk of developing gum disease and other oral health problems.
Lastly, chronic health conditions can increase your chances of gum disease as well. Diabetes and cancer is especially known for this due to their ability to weaken the immune system. Without a healthy immune system, your body will be unable to fight back against the plaque and thus puts you at greater risk for gum disease.
How Do You Know If You Have Gum Disease?
Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease. Often if you have gingivitis, your gums will be red, swollen, and even bleed. Luckily, it is still reversible and usually can be eliminated with a professional cleaning by your dentist. Other warning signs of gum disease are persistent bad breath, loose teeth, gums pulled away from teeth, and any change in the way your teeth or partial dentures fit together.
However, some experience little to no symptoms of gum disease which can make it nearly impossible to notice.
Advanced gum disease is often referred to as periodontitis. The normal symptoms of gingivitis will have worsened by this point and even those who did not have symptoms will experience harsh side effects. Periodontitis can lead to the loss of bone and tissue around the teeth and may become more severe over time.
How Do You Prevent Gum Disease?
The best way to protect yourself against gum disease and other dental problems is to keep up good dental hygiene habits including brushing twice a day, flossing, and eating a healthy diet. It is also important to have regular dental checkups especially since gum disease can be rather sneaky.
If you think you may have gum disease, don’t hesitate to contact us! Here at Shine Dental, we know the sooner we can get you treated for possible gum disease, the better. With our large variety of dental services, we can easily help you with any and all of your dental needs.
