Gum Disease / Periodontitis

The general increase in awareness about the importance of healthy teeth has led to people taking more care of their oral hygiene. However, gums are still one of the most neglected parts of our body. Most people only focus on their pearly whites and forget about taking adequate care of the structures holding them in place.

The inflammation of the underlying tissues such as the alveolar bone, which is known as Periodontitis. If left untreated, the disease may lead to deterioration of these structures, and the infection could spread to tissue spaces, the brain, the heart, and the mediastinum. It could even lead to a severe life-threatening condition known as Ludwig’s Angina.

symptoms of gum disease

The initial symptom of gum disease is a reddening and slight swelling of the gums. Your gums may even feel sore and sensitive to hot and spicy foods. As the disease progresses, so do the symptoms, and there may be generalized, dull pain all over the upper or lower arch of the mouth along with bleeding while brushing, flossing, or eating hard foods. The deposition of plaque, tartar, and calculus is another important sign of Gingivitis and Periodontitis.

This often leads to a receding gum line and underlying bone resorption, which is irreversible. After a significant amount of bone tissue is lost, there may be tooth loss, loose teeth, and generalized gum line recession.

Different Stages Of Gum Disease

Gum disease can be classified in many ways. The most common classifications are done according to onset, severity, and location.

According to the onset of the disease:

Acute Gingivitis: onset is relatively sudden
Chronic Gingivitis: has been present for quite some time and is getting progressively worse.

According to severity:

Mild Gingivitis: slight redness and swelling, no pain or bleeding on probing, normal stippling. No loss of bone tissue.
Moderate Gingivitis: notable redness and swelling, some degree of bleeding on probing. No loss of bone tissue.
Severe Gingivitis without Periodontitis: swollen, puffy gums, with marked redness and generalized gingival pain. Spontaneous bleeding and loss of stippling. No loss of bone tissue.
Necrotizing ulcerative Gingivitis: Painful, swollen gums with marked redness. Spontaneous bleeding, high-grade fever, and palpable lymph nodes around the area. Ulceration and necrosis of the gums. No loss of bone. Bad breath and a metallic taste in the mouth.
Combined Gingivitis and Periodontitis: redness of gums, swelling, loss of stippling pocket formation, which is less than 4 mm, and loss of bone tissue around the tooth.
Moderate Periodontitis: Redness of gums, pocket formation, which is less than 6 mm, and loss of bone tissue.
Severe Periodontitis: redness and swelling of the gums. Deep pockets more than 6mm, marked loss of bone structure surrounding the tooth
Necrotizing ulcerative Periodontitis: Painful, swollen gums with marked redness. Spontaneous bleeding, high-grade fever, and palpable lymph nodes around the area. Ulceration and necrosis of the gums. Loss of bone tissue, bad breath, and a metallic taste in the mouth.

Main Causes Of Gum Disease

Gum disease is often caused by inadequate maintenance of oral hygiene. Food particles collect around the teeth and in between the gums and teeth, where they attract bacteria and cause inflammation and infection. This bacteria forms plaque, which may then harden to form calculus.

If not removed in time, calculus and plaque continue to accumulate in the area and wreak havoc on the gums and underlying structures. Gingivitis may also be a sign of other illnesses. Severe Gingivitis and Periodontitis are often found in immunocompromised patients.

Home Remedies For Gum Pain

Here are some best home remedies for gum pain:

Warm saline rinses help to reduce inflammation and keep the area clean
Teeth must be cleaned regularly with a soft toothbrush as well
Regular flossing also helps clean the areas in between teeth

Healthy gums are firm, pale pink, and fit well around the teeth. Maintaining a well-nourished diet can help with gum disease.

How Does Gum Disease Affect Pregnancy?

Pregnancy usually causes a surge in hormones, which affects a woman’s body in different ways. One effect of the hormones is the swelling of the gums, also known as pregnancy Gingivitis. This condition usually dissipates naturally after birth.

What Is The Treatment Of Gum Disease?

The best treatment for gum disease is to brush twice a day with a soft toothbrush, floss regularly, and get professional scaling done at least once every six months. Your dentist will explain how to shrink gum pockets further after your initial treatment.

Conclusion

Gingivitis and Periodontitis are the most common diseases of the mouth. If not treated properly, gum disease can lead to a number of serious conditions as well. Thus, it is imperative for everyone to brush and floss regularly, and get a scaling done by a dentist every six months.

How does treatment work:

Doctor will examine your teeth and provide consultation
If necessary, appropriate x-rays will be taken to understand teeth and bone structure near the tooth
Treatment plan will be discussed along with the insurance coverage.
Book an appointment or call us at to schedule a consultation with the doctor.

Let us help provide the best Gum Disease Treatment

Gum Disease Treatment are completely safe and prevent permanent bone loss in your teeth. Gum Disease Treatment help you get a beautiful smile.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gum Disease Reversible?

Gum disease or Gingivitis is completely reversible. However, the loss of bone tissue in periodontitis cannot be reversed.

Preventing gum disease is very easy, safer, and cost-effective than treating the disease. Few easy-to-follow tips are there to prevent gum disease. These tips will also protect you from developing a severe oral health challenge.

How Long Does It Take To Treat Gum Disease? How Many Visits Does It Take?

The treatment of gum disease varies from person to person according to the severity of the disease. However, the first step is to get your teeth professionally cleaned by a dentist to remove plaque, calculus, and tartar.

Does Gum Disease Affect Heart Health?How Do You Self-Treat Sleep Apnea?

Gingivitis may worsen heart disease and increase the risk of a condition known as Endocarditis. Endocarditis is the inflammation and infection of the inner lining of the heart. Bacteria from the gums may travel through the bloodstream and infect your heart’s lining, causing you to develop Endocarditis.