If you’ve noticed signs of blood in your sink after brushing your teeth, it could be time to revisit your routine for oral hygiene. Gums that are bleeding could be a warning indication that gum disease is developing.
Gum illness is caused by bacteria present in tartar and plaque. The plaque is an abrasive, sticky film formed on the teeth. It’s composed mainly of mucus, bacteria, food particles, and others. If plaque isn’t cleaned and hardens, it forms tartar and provides the bacteria a place to live, per the American Dental Association (ADA).
Bacteria that live in tartar and plaque can cause gum inflammation known as gingivitis. Tartar is only removed by a dental hygiene professional or dentist.
What is Gum Disease?
Gum diseases are inflammations of gums that may cause damage to the bone that supports and surrounds your teeth. This is due to bacteria in plaque, which constantly develops over your teeth. The bacteria are a source of toxins, and if they are not eliminated ( by daily dental brushing and flossing), the bacteria could cause irritation and inflammation to the gums. The gum tissue may begin to separate from the tooth in the event that the condition worsens, in the gingival tissue and the bone supporting teeth, becomes damaged in time. The teeth can be loose and fall out or require to be extracted by dentists.
4 Stages Of Gum Disease
- First Signs. In the initial stages of gum disease, your teeth may appear healthy. You will notice no swelling or irritation in your gums. You might experience some bleeding when you eat certain foods like apples.Even though mild smears of blood may be normal in healthy gums from time to time, if you start to notice it frequently, then it is a sign that you might have early-stage gum disease.
- Gingivitis. In the early stages, there is swelling, and soft red gums, which are prone to bleeding. If detected early, the condition is often treated on its own by proper cleaning and flossing.
- Mild to moderate periodontitis. That is mild to moderate. The next stage is characterized by increased inflammation and bleeding within the teeth. This happens when the plaque bacteria produce toxins, and your body’s defenses destroy your gum’s attachment to your tooth. The gums separate from teeth and create pockets of the infected material. The early loss of bone around the teeth can be apparent. The treatment at this point is crucial to stop further loss of bone and tooth loosening.
- Advanced periodontitis is advanced. This stage can cause further deepening of gum pockets and the destruction of the bone that holds teeth in position. In this phase, teeth can become fragile and must be removed if the periodontal treatment does not restore bone support.
What Are The Symptoms Of Periodontal Disease?
The signs of periodontal diseases may not always be evident, so it is possible only to notice the condition at an extreme stage. This is why regular visits to the dentist and maintaining a clean, healthy mouth throughout the day are vital. A few common signs to watch for in periodontal diseases are:
- Lasting bad breath
- Red, swollen, sore gums
- Gums pull away from tooth (receding gums)
- Gums are bleeding when brushing or flossing.
- Loose teeth.
- The pain when chewing
- Teeth that are loose or sensitive
- Pus can be seen in between gums or between teeth.
Therapy of Periodontal Disease depends on the severity of your condition and may involve scaling and root planning the flap or pocket reduction procedure or soft tissue and bone grafts. The process you need will depend on the level of disease you’re at.
Gum Disease Risk Factors
Many risk factors could contribute to the progress to the stage of periodontal illness. It’s crucial to discuss with your periodontist any risks that could be present so that they can accurately identify your problem and create the best treatment strategy. Find out more about the causes of periodontitis to help safeguard your smile.
Smoking
Smoking tobacco can cause numerous serious diseases, including lung disease, cancer, heart disease, and many other health issues. People who smoke cigarettes are also more likely to develop periodontal disease. Research has shown that smoking cigarettes could be one of the significant risk factors for the progression of periodontal disease.
Age
Research shows that older people have the highest incidence of periodontal disease. Information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that more than 70 percent of Americans who are 65 or older suffer from one form or another of gum disease.
Genetics
Studies have revealed that certain people are genetically vulnerable to gum diseases. Even with diligent home oral hygiene practices, those with these traits may be more likely to suffer from periodontal disease.
Medications
Certain medications, like oral contraceptives, antidepressants, and heart medications, may impact dental health. As you inform your pharmacist and other health professionals of any medicines you take or any changes to your general health, you must also notify your periodontist.
Stress
Stress is associated with serious illnesses, including cancer, hypertension, and many other health issues. Stress is also an indicator of risk for developing gum disease. Research has shown that stress makes it more difficult for the body to fight infections, including gum diseases.
How is Gum Disease Treated?
Treatment for Periodontal Disease depends on the degree to which the disease has advanced in a specific situation. However, treating periodontal diseases at the earliest possible time will ensure that their harm is lessened, while it may not even need surgery. It also helps help ensure that significant loss of bone does not occur. Here is a breakdown of the treatments to be examined for every stage of the stages in periodontal disease:
- Guided tissue reconstruction: This procedure stimulates the growth of bone and gum tissue after the bone supporting your teeth is destroyed. A small piece of mesh-like fabric, often used with flap surgery, is placed between the bone and gum tissue. This prevents the gum tissue from growing in the exact area that the bone needs. It allows the bone and connective tissues to grow back to better support the teeth.
- Bone Grafts: Use fragments from your synthetic or donated bone. Grafts can replace and aid bone growth in areas damaged by gum disease. This allows the tooth to be attached securely to the bone. Tissue engineering is another procedure that helps your body to create new bone and tissue quickly.
- Scaling and root planning: This is most commonly used for mild and moderate periodontal diseases. This is a non-surgical procedure that is performed under local anaesthesia. This involves removing plaque and tartar above and below the gum line and smoothing any rough spots. This eliminates bacteria and allows the gums to reattach to their teeth.
- Cleaning the teeth: The procedure involves the elimination of tartar and plaque both below and above the gum line. Regular cleanings for your teeth are vital for everyone and are crucial in getting rid of the early stage of gum disease.
- The flap procedure/pocket reduction: The procedure involves your gums will be lifted, and tartar removed. In certain cases can smooth uneven surfaces of the damaged bone. This reduces the places where bacteria that cause disease may hide. The gums are placed, so they fit comfortably over the tooth. The space between the gum and tooth reduces the areas in which harmful bacteria can thrive. The likelihood of serious health issues resulting from periodontal diseases is also decreased.
- Laser gum surgery: Lasers are used to heal the area affected. They can be preferred to other surgical procedures since it is less painful and decreases post-operative sensitivities. In addition, this method demands less time to recover following the procedure than surgical methods.
For some individuals, the nonsurgical treatment of root planning and scaling is enough to treat gum disease. Surgery is necessary when the gum tissue surrounding your teeth is damaged and cannot be fixed using nonsurgical solutions.
How Your Oral Health Affects Your Overall Wellness?
Numerous studies have suggested that the condition of your gums affects your overall health. Examples:
- Heart health: moderate to severe gum disease has been found to raise inflammation levels across the body. Some studies indicate a link between inflammation due to gum disease, which might be linked to the possibility of stroke, and the heart, which is an inflammation disease.
- Lung health: Some research suggests that periodontal health can improve the health of those suffering from the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD). Periodontal diseases can also increase the chance of contracting respiratory illnesses like pneumonia. It can be caused by breathing bacteria that enter the respiratory tract.
- Nutritional Health: If your teeth are lost due to gum disease, you may find it challenging to eat healthy food like fresh fruit and vegetables. Chewing can lead to poor nutrition, which can, in turn, cause dizziness and fatigue.
- Emotional health Your smile should be your calling card. People feel more confident when they smile. According to the Academy of General Dentistry of the U.S., dentists extract 20,000,000 teeth annually. 86% believe that social embarrassment is the prominent problem people experience after losing a tooth.
