Inflamed, swollen, or infected gums can be detrimental to your overall oral health. When gum disease, also known as gingivitis, is left untreated, it can result in loose teeth, bad breath, and bleeding gums. Learn more about how to detect gum disease early and what treatment options are available to you so you can improve your oral health.
Early Signs of Gum Disease
The earliest signs of gum disease will likely be tender or bleeding gums. Bleeding and tenderness can be the result of flossing, sharp food in the mouth, or over-brushing. Tenderness and bleeding can last for several days or may occur on and off for several months until you visit the dentist.
Other early signs of gum disease include painful chewing, noticeably loose teeth, sensitive teeth (especially near the gum line), gums that have pulled away from the teeth (receding gum line), or visibly red and inflamed gums. Some people may also experience bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth that does not go away even after using mouthwash, breath spray, or chewing gum.
Is Tooth Decay Linked to Gum Disease?
Before gingivitis develops, you may have signs of other poor oral health, such as tooth decay. There is a strong link between tooth decay and the development of gum disease in the future. When tooth decay occurs, plaque builds up on your teeth and can create cavities, gum inflammation, and abscesses. Many people who have severe tooth decay also have gum disease.
What Are the Risk Factors for Gum Disease?
The largest risk factor for developing gum disease in the future is poor oral hygiene. If you do not regularly brush and floss your teeth, you are at a much higher risk of developing gum disease. Along with poor oral hygiene, other oral health issues such as crooked teeth, a misaligned bite, or improperly fitting dental bridges can also contribute to gum disease.
Other risk factors may be related to genetics and lifestyle. People who smoke, who take certain medications, or who have diabetes may be more likely to develop gum disease. Gum health issues may also be hereditary.
When Can Gum Disease Start?
In general, gum disease can start at any age if oral hygiene is poor and the gums are neglected. Some teenagers and children may show early warning signs that gum disease could develop in their adulthood, such as bleeding gums. However, you may not show definitive signs of gingivitis until around age 30. Gum disease is very common. About 47% of people over the age of 30 have gum disease such as gingivitis, while 70% of people over the age of 65 have periodontitis.
How Can You Prevent Gingivitis?
For gum disease, the very best way to prevent and control gingivitis is by adopting better oral hygiene practices. Consistency is key so that you can work to control the bacteria in your mouth. Ideally, you should brush and floss your teeth to remove food, bacteria, and plaque from the teeth at least twice a day. However, if you are unable to clean your teeth twice a day for whatever reason, you should aim to do so at least once a day.
Along with brushing and flossing, it can be a good idea to incorporate mouthwash throughout the day, such as after midday meals. Mouthwash can kill bacteria in the mouth after eating and prevent the build-up of plaque. Some mouthwash may even be formulated specifically to prevent gingivitis. You can also chew sugar-free gum to clean your teeth after eating for the same purpose.
The Importance of Professional Cleaning
While at-home oral hygiene is certainly the cornerstone of good oral health, it’s also important to regularly see a dentist to have your teeth cleaned. A dentist can use professional tools to clean your teeth to get rid of plaque, check on the health of your gums, and discuss other aspects of your oral health.
Most people should have their teeth professionally cleaned at least once a year. However, some people may benefit by having cleaning check-ups every six months, particularly if they are taking certain medications or have certain health conditions.
What Are the Stages of Gum Disease?
The four stages of gum disease are gingivitis, mild periodontitis, moderate periodontitis, and advanced periodontitis. Gingivitis is the earliest stage and primarily causes gum tenderness and bleeding. Mild periodontitis may cause receding gums and inflammation, while moderate periodontitis can cause infections that erode the teeth and gums. Advanced periodontitis can include tooth loss and bone loss in the jaw.
Can Gingivitis and Periodontitis Be Reversed?
Periodontal disease is serious, but when you catch it early, you have the chance to reverse the effects of the disease on your oral health. Much of the time, early intervention can help you control early gingivitis to prevent the disease from progressing. In fact, for some, early gingivitis can be reversed in about 14 days with consistent at-home oral hygiene.
However, you must remember that if you are already prone to developing gingivitis, you will likely always be at risk for having gingivitis in the future. This is another reason why treating gingivitis and periodontal disease with consistent at-home oral hygiene is so important. Once you find an oral hygiene routine and oral hygiene products that work for you, continue to use them each day to maintain good gum health.
What Are Treatments for Gum Disease?
Aside from consistent at-home oral hygiene, there are a few other ways that periodontal disease can be treated. The goal of any treatment for periodontal disease is to preserve the health of the mouth and protect the teeth from irreversible damage. When you visit the dentist, your dentist may recommend one of the following treatments based on the severity of your periodontal disease.
Deep Cleaning
Deep cleaning and scaling may be part of your routine dental check-up. Deep cleaning of the teeth involves scaling tartar and plaque from the teeth, as well as removing bacterial deposits from beneath the gum line. If you show any signs of tooth sensitivity, your dentist may use an antibiotic cleanser to tackle any infections beneath the gum that could be causing inflammation and tooth pain.
Gingivitis Treatment
If you notice bleeding gums when you brush or floss, you may need to undergo advanced gingivitis treatment. The Sirolaser is a tool that can reduce bacteria beneath the gum line that can cause gingivitis. Sometimes, using this technique to treat gingivitis can be done during your normal dental cleaning, and other times, you may need to schedule regular appointments to get your gingivitis under control.
Periodontitis Treatment
To treat advanced periodontitis, the best treatment method is using a tool such as the Cavitron Touch, an ultrasonic scaling device that allows plaque to be removed from the teeth more thoroughly than other devices. This tool can also irrigate the gums to remove plaque and bacteria. Some patients may also need to use a diode laser to clean infected gum tissue.
When gum disease is left untreated, you risk losing your teeth in the future and other oral health issues. Fortunately, there are modern treatments and techniques that can effectively reverse or control gum disease.
Are You Searching For A Martinsburg Area Dental Office for You Or Your Family?
If you’re searching for an experienced dentist please feel free to contact us online or call our Martinsburg, West Virginia dental office directly at 304.267.6059 to schedule your appointment. We provide a wide range of general dentistry care as well as more involved dentistry services for patients throughout the Martinsburg area and look forward to you joining the Cornerstone Dental family.
