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Gum Disease that could be deadly... Watch out!

By Expert Author: Ales Normales
Word Count: 556 words | Views: 757 view(s)
What is Gum Disease?

In the broadest sense, the term Gum Disease (or periodontal disease) describes bacterial growth and production of factors that gradually destroy the tissue surrounding and supporting the teeth. "Periodontal" means "around the tooth."

Picture of periodontal gum disease. Healthy tooth and Gum Disease.

Gum disease begins with plaque, which is always forming on your teeth, without you even knowing it. When it accumulates to excessive levels, it can harden into a substance called tartar (calculus) in as little as 24 hours. Tartar is so tightly bound to teeth that it can be removed only during a professional cleaning.

Gingivitis and periodontitis are the two main stages of gum disease. Each stage is characterized by what a dentist sees and feels in your mouth, and by what's happening under your gum line. Although gingivitis usually precedes periodontitis, it's important to know that not all gingivitis progresses to periodontitis.

In the early stage of gingivitis, the gums can become red and swollen and bleed easily, often during tooth brushing. Bleeding, although not always a symptom of gingivitis, is a signal that your mouth is unhealthy and needs attention. The gums may be irritated, but the teeth are still firmly planted in their sockets. No bone or other tissue damage has occurred at this stage. Although dental disease in America remains a serious public health concern, recent developments indicate that the situation is far from hopeless.

When gingivitis is left untreated, it can advance to periodontitis. At this point, the inner layer of the gum and bone pull away from the teeth (recede) and form pockets. These small spaces between teeth and gums may collect debris and can become infected.

The body's immune system fights the bacteria as the plaque spreads and grows below the gumline. Bacterial toxins and the body's enzymes fighting the infection actually start to break down the bone and connective tissue that hold teeth in place. As the disease progresses, the pockets deepen and more gum tissue and bone are destroyed.

Dr. Chris Kammer, Wisconsin:

The New England Journal of Medicine has reported that inflammation like you find in gum disease causes the liver to produce C- Reactive Protein which is a better indicator of future heart attack and stroke than cholesterol. Think of all the fuss we've heard about cholesterol over the years and now imagine a heightened concern that actually causes people to return to the dentist. It now should be standard protocol for physicians to send their stroke and heart risk patients straight to the dentist to get their gum disease under control as their first line of defense.

Symptoms and signs of Gum Disease

Although the symptoms of periodontal disease often are subtle, the condition is not entirely without warning signs. Certain symptoms may point to some form of the disease. They include:

- Gums that bleed during and after toothbrushing
- Red, swollen or tender gums
- Persistent bad breath or bad taste in the mouth
- Receding gums
- Formation of deep pockets between teeth and gums
- Loose or shifting teeth
- Changes in the way teeth fit together on biting, or in the fit of partial dentures.

How to prevent Gum (periodontal) Disease?
Gum Disease treatment.
And some more useful facts, as
- Diabetics are more susceptible to Gum Disease.
- Alzheimer's disease risk.
- Pregnancy and oral health.
- Heart and brains are also in a danger.
Find out at author's site.
Ales Normales

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As we go through life, sooner or later we will experience some sort of health problem, whether it be through heredity or other factors. Some diseases will burst forth without warning, others can go on progressively without our knowledge. Gum disease is one that fits in both categories. It starts out silent and before we know it, we have a mouthful of problems. Over 70 per cent of the population has gum disease issues. For the most part, gum disease is usually considered a localized disease. Not to worry, a trip to the dentist will fix everything. This is not always the case.
The common symptoms of gum disease are that a person suffers from red, swollen gums, teeth become loose and the space between the teeth also widens. The person also suffers from chronic bad breath, receding gums and bleeding while brushing or flossing.
Gum disease can be a potential wrecker, not only to your aesthetic worth but also to your lifestyle. Although many might think it's a small thing, imagine having to go through the entire day with a nagging gum defect that can be painful and distracting at the same time.
Gingivitis or gum disease is caused by bacteria in your mouth. You can’t get rid of those germs forever; they’re just a fact of life as a human being. These bacteria feed upon the same things we do, literally the things we eat and drink. They hide in all the little nooks and crannies inside your mouth, even below the gum line. When you brush, you clean out some of those germs, but you can’t reach all of them.
Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gum tissue due to a build of plaque or tartar around the gumline and if treated can be reversed. If left untreated gingivitis can lead to periodontitis which is far more serious and is irreversible but can be stopped from progressing any further. If you think you may have gingivitis it is important you go to your dentist.
An abscess is a collection of pus. Pus is a thick fluid that usually contains white blood cells, dead tissue and bacteria (germs). The usual cause of an abscess is an infection with bacteria. A dental abscess is an infection in the centre of a tooth which spreads through the tooth to infect supporting bone and other nearby tissues. Dental abscess is common. It may develop as a complication of tooth decay (caries), or from an infection in the gums.
Brush, brush, brush. Do it at least twice a day with a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Although brushing and flossing are equally important, brushing eliminates only the plaque from the surfaces of the teeth that the brush can reach. Flossing, on the other hand, removes plaque from in between the teeth and under the gumline.
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