Gum Disease
Gum disease, or periodontal disease, refers to an inflammatory process caused by bacteria that affects the surrounding tissues of a tooth. It comes in two forms, the mild/early form of gingivitis, and the more severe form, periodontitis.
Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gums. Signs and symptoms of gingivitis include red, swollen gums and gums that may bleed easily when flossing or brushing. If you haven’t brushed or flossed too vigorously, spending extra effort to brush and floss these areas will help. Gingivitis is generally caused by irritation from plaque and bacteria. At this stage, by eliminating the irritation, gingivitis is reversible. This can be accomplished by professional treatment with your periodontist/dentist/dental hygienist and good oral care at home.
Periodontitis is the more severe form and the irritation/inflammation now is affecting the bone and the deeper tissues that support the tooth. This results in loss of attachment which may lead to loose teeth and ultimately, tooth loss. Periodontitis or bone loss is generally irreversible. Unfortunately, bone loss around the tooth often leads to the formation of deeper gum pockets, which creates an environment for plaque and bacteria to hide, which further irritates the tissues and creates more bone loss. Early periodontitis is often not painful and generally requires a dental examination and radiographs to diagnose. Treatments are focused on removing the bacterial irritation (with professional treatment and good oral care at home) and trying to reduce the deep pockets to create a more maintainable environment.
Risk factors for gum disease include smoking, diabetes, genetic predisposition (parents or siblings with gum disease), pregnancy, HIV infections and other systemic diseases.
Click here for more information on gum disease treatments:
Last, here are links to other sites with further information on gum disease: