Periodontal disease, more commonly known as gum disease, is highly preventable by daily brushing and flossing of teeth. Removing daily plaque buildup lessens the possibility of developing dental complications, including gum disease. Because early symptoms go unnoticed, most people with gum disease do not realize it. In the United States, approximately 75% of the population has some stage of gum disease and might suffer from complications in overall health in the future.
Plaque is the sticky, white substance that forms on teeth and gums, and is easily removed by brushing and flossing. If the buildup is not removed it hardens and becomes known as tartar. Tartar cannot be removed by brushing and leads to further plaque buildup and infections. Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease and is reversible but often goes unnoticed. If untreated, gingivitis may lead to periodontitis, the second stage of gum disease. Periodontitis has several levels and is not reversible.
Poor oral hygiene, tobacco use, bad nutrition, birth control pills, arthritis and high blood pressure medications, and hormonal changes during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause are factors that effect the development of gum disease. The signs of gingivitis may include bad breath, red/swollen/bleeding gums, these signs are often light and may go unnoticed. As the disease progresses into periodontitis, these symptoms will increase in strength and new symptoms will appear. The new symptoms are change in color of gums, loose/loosening teeth, abscesses in the mouth, receding gum line, and tooth loss.
Gum disease does not only affect oral health, but also increases the risk of heart disease and stroke, kidney disease, preterm birth, and diabetes. As mentioned above, changes in hormone levels, especially during pregnancy, increases the risk of developing gum disease. A condition known as pregnancy gingivitis is common with the hormone changes occurring in the first trimester. If gingivitis develops into periodontitis during pregnancy, complications such as premature birth and/or low birth weight may occur. People suffering from diabetes are also more likely to develop gum disease. Frequent and severe gum diseases occur in diabetes patients due to slow blood circulation, lack of resistance to infections, and frequent changes in blood sugar levels.
Daily brushing, flossing, the use of mouth wash, and regular visits to your dental hygienist are the best form preventing gum disease and other dental complications. The early stages of gum disease are reversible with a visit to the dentists office, scaling is performed by the dentist or hygienist to remove plaque and tartar buildup. A prescription mouth wash, such as chlorhexidine gluconate, and several cleanings will be used as treatment for mid-level stages. For advanced stages of gum disease, surgery is performed to stop or minimize the progression of the disease and replace lost bone tissues.
Easily prevented and possibly reversible, gum disease should not be the epidemic that it has become. With so many types of tooth brushes, tooth paste, and mouth wash available on market in this century, people are very aware of their oral hygiene, but still do not perform the menial tasks that can prevent so many dental complications. Brushing and flossing teeth two to three times a day takes mere minutes to perform and should never be postponed.
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