Home | Health | Dentist

Periodontal Gum Disease

Periodontal gum disease not only refers to periodontitis, but also to gingivitis. Periodontal means the area around the tooth. There are two stages of this type of gum disease: the first is gingivitis and the second is periodontitis, which is more severe and can cause loose teeth, and could lead you into oral surgery. No matter what stage youre in, there are various treatments, yet the longer you neglect treating the disease the worse it will get and the higher the chances are that you will lose a tooth or more. So, take some time and learn how to identify and prevent gum disease.

The first stage of gum disease is not so close to the tooth, but affects the gum tissue. Whether by genetics, neglected oral hygiene or other factors, in the first stage the gums will begin to swell and bleed upon brushing and flossing. As the disease progresses, the gum tissue will recede from the teeth and the early second stage of gum disease begins, which is periodontitis. At this point bacteria can enter spaces created by gingivitis and infection can affect gum tissue and bone surrounding the tooth. This can loosen teeth.

Regardless of what stage youre in, there are ways to prevent and fix damage done by periodontal gum disease. Prevention is best with the daily ritual of oral hygiene, which includes flossing, brushing and rinsing at least twice a day. But, if youre not good at keeping up with all of this or have been but still see swelling and bleeding of the gum tissue, then visit your dentist. He or she can help you to understand in more detail what is happening and what could happen if the disease is not treated. The dentist will either send you home with a prescription for a special mouthwash or for antibiotics to combat infection.

Some people with symptoms of gum disease may not even realize what is happening, so remember that periodontal gum disease can also cause bad breath. If the first stage of gum disease is not treated immediately, then you could lose some teeth. Therefore, it is worth your time to brush and floss and rinse every single day. Not only can advanced gum disease cause pain, but it could seriously dent your wallet with dental costs as well. So, be on the lookout for bleeding or swollen gums before its too late.

Article Source: http://www.writedot.com

About the Author (text)

yahoo.com del.icio.us google.com ask.com furl.net technorati.com reddit.com digg.com

Not yet Rated