Do you consider yourself to be relatively healthy? If so, can gum disease affect you? Absolutely, gum disease is no respecter of persons. A healthy person is likely to be affected by gum disease just the same as the next person. In fact some form of gum disease affects 80% of the American adult population. Do you know the number one reason people get gum disease is due to improper oral hygiene? In America this is a growing epidemic. The two most common forms of gum disease that affect a relatively healthy person such as you, are gingivitis and aggressive periodontitis.
Have you heard of gingivitis? It is the first and most common stage of gum disease. Gingivitis only affects the gums surrounding your teeth. It begins when bacteria toxins from plaque build-up and you will most likely start to notice that your gums are red, swollen, and bleed easily. Another sign you may find that you are experiencing, is bad breath or a bad taste that won't go away in this stage of gum disease. You will have little or no discomfort. Typically gingivitis tends to go untreated. However, if treated in the beginning stages it can be reversible with professional dental cleaning (every 6 months) and proper daily at home oral care (brushing and flossing twice per day).
When you don't have gingivitis treated then it will progress. Aggressive periodontitis also known as pyorrhea is the second stage of gum disease. It is caused from bacteria toxins that accumulate below your gum line, when untreated it leads to rapid attachment and bone loss around teeth and familial aggregation. You will probably experience chronic bad breath and bad taste as they are both associated with this stage of gum disease. Aggressive periodontitis is so widespread mainly because the symptoms of gingivitis have gone undetected and untreated. This stage doesn't have much to do with how healthy you are either.
The main beginning signs you will need to watch for are redness, swelling, and bleeding of the gums. If these have gone undetected then bad breath, gum recession, and loose teeth may be the signs that are more evident to you because they are going to be more bothersome.
Whether the progression of gum disease is eliminated, decreased, or allowed to worsen will entirely depend on you and how you intend to care for your teeth. Adequate brushing and flossing will help to remove plaque. So if you want to preserve your "pearly whites" for a lifetime then combine proper oral care and see a dental care professional. Your dentist will be able to answer any questions or concerns you have in regards to gum disease. It is important that once you see a dental care professional you follow his/her recommended treatment plan and continue routine visits.
Copyright (c) 2006 SSLI Health Group
Listed below are more articles related to the above article from the "Dental Disease" article category.
People interested in the above article "What Signs Can A Relatively Healthy Person Lookout for That May End Up Manifesting a Gum Disease?" are also interested in the related articles listed below:
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.
