Your oral health is just as important as your overall health, and while you do plenty of exercise and dieting to stay healthy, you also need to practice good oral hygiene.
If you don’t have good oral hygiene, you are putting yourself at risk for cavities and more serious oral issues, such as gum disease. Gum disease is not something you can take lightly, and when left untreated, it can often lead to more serious issues, including diabetes and heart disease.
When it comes to your oral health, it’s very important to know the truth about gum disease so that you can easily prevent and treat it right away.
Causes
Gum disease stems from bacteria in your mouth. These bacteria can get under your gum line and cause serious damage to your teeth and gums. Bacteria causes plaque, and this sticky substance sticks to your teeth and makes it harder to get rid of. When plaque hardens, it becomes tartar, and this cannot be removed by regular brushing and flossing but only by a professional dentist.
If you want to eliminate your risk of gum disease, it’s very important that you brush and floss regularly to remove all the plaque and bacteria in your mouth.
Types
There are two basic types of gum disease that you can be diagnosed with. The first is known as gingivitis, and this is the most common form of gum disease. When you have gingivitis, the plaque and bacteria in your mouth get underneath the gum line, causing it to become red and swollen. In some cases, your gums may also start to bleed more easily and for no apparent reason.
Gingivitis can be treated by improving your regular brushing and flossing routine as well as seeing a dentist on a regular basis for a professional cleaning.
The other form of gum disease is known as periodontitis. Periodontitis is what occurs when gingivitis is left untreated. When you have periodontitis, your gum starts to separate away from the teeth, causing your teeth to become loose and possibly to fall out.
Periodontitis must be treated by a periodontist. These professionals will be able to diagnose and treat your periodontitis before it becomes serious. If left untreated, you will lose teeth or force the periodontist to remove them.
Treatment
The treatment for gum disease varies on the type you are diagnosed with as well as the seriousness of the condition. For mild cases, a deep cleaning by a dental professional can often treat the issue, as well as your ability to practice better oral care at home.
In other cases, special medications may be required in order to kill the bacteria. Most of the medications are antibiotics that can either be taken as a mouthwash or as a pill in order to help kill the bacteria and treat the disease.
In the most serious of cases, oral surgery may be needed in order to treat the issue. You may need surgery to remove the tartar and plaque that has built up underneath your teeth, or you may need surgery to fix any loose or damaged teeth.
Article Submitted By Community Writer.
