Routinely dental check-ups and examinations reveal gum infections which do not show any visible signs and symptoms during the initial as well as the last stages causing severe damage to the extent of losing one’s tooth forever.
Factors affecting the risk of gum diseases include:
- Tobacco smoking and chewing
- Illness like diabetes or cancer
- Hormonal changes during pregnancy and menstruations
- Medication such as contraceptives and anticonvulsants
- Ill-fitting bridges and defective fillings
- Periodontal Disease
- Indications of Gum disease include
- Redness swollen and tender gums
- Pus
- Receding gums
- Bleeding gums before and after brushing, flossing or eating hard food
- Bad breath (halitosis)
- Bad metallic taste in mouth
- Mouth sores
Periodontal (Gum) disease
Periodontal disease is a common problem among adults. It is an infection of the tissues supporting and surrounding the teeth. In severe cases it might also cause tooth loss. Periodontal disease is chronic in nature and effect the mastication system. The main cause of the disease is the chronic bacterial infection that together with the inflammatory reaction destroys the holding tissues of the teeth.
Classification of Periodontal (Gum) disease
Gingivitis – It’s an inflammation of the gums due to bacterial accumulation in the mouth. Red bleeding gums are telltale signs of this sneaky progressive disease.
Periodontitis – When left untreated gingivitis progressed in periodontitis. Periodontitis can an advance form of gingivitis. This may lead to loose teeth and disease in the bone and treated surgically.
Prevention
- The best way to treat gum infection s is to practice daily good oral hygiene by:
- Brushing your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes using electric or manual toothbrush.
- Using toothpastes contain high amount of Fluorides
- Flossing your teeth before brushing
- Not smoking
- Regularly visiting your dentist
- Using antiseptic mouthwash contains chlorhexidine or hexetidine. But remember to rinse your mouth thoroughly.
Treatment
Treatments for Gum infections include scaling and polishing the teeth to remove plague and tartar build up on your teeth. The dentist carries out a professional clean procedure by scraping away the plague and tartar and then polishing your teeth to remove marks and stains. In some cases, root planning (debridement) may be required to get rid of bacteria roots of the teeth. Root planning causes pain and discomfort for up to 48 hours.