The mouth is full of bacteria that, along with other particles and mucus, constantly form plaque on the teeth. Plaque is a colorless, sticky material that accumulates on the exposed parts of your teeth. When it hardens due to poor brushing and flossing habits, it forms tartar.
You cannot get rid of tartar by brushing your teeth. The only way to remove it is through professional cleaning by a dental professional. Periodontitis begins as gingivitis, which is the inflammation of the gums.
It usually involves swollen and reddened gums, as well as bleeding when biting on food or brushing teeth. This condition is your body’s response to the bacteria that you let accumulate on your teeth.
What You Need To Know About Gingivitis
This is a common type of gum disease. It is important to take it seriously and seek treatment early. Left untreated, it can cause tooth loss and a more serious form of gum disease called periodontitis.
Symptoms Of Gingivitis
Poor oral hygiene is the most common cause of this oral condition. Getting regular dental exams and good oral hygiene habits can prevent or even reverse gingivitis. Healthy gums fit tightly around the teeth and are firm. Some of the symptoms of gingivitis include:
- Tender gums.
- Puffy or swollen gums.
- Receding gums.
- Gums that bleed when you brush or floss.
- Bad breath.
- Dark red or dusky red gums.
What Is Periodontitis?
This is a serious form of gum infection, which can damage your mouth’s soft tissue. Without treatment, this condition can cause damage to the bone structure that supports your teeth and lead to tooth loss. Although it is quite common, periodontitis, also called gum disease, is largely preventable.
Symptoms Of Periodontitis
Usually, it starts as a gum inflammation that gradually worsens over time if you fail to address the problem. To tell whether you have gum disease, you need to check for teeth discoloration. Bacteria are always present in the mouth.
Early Stages Of Gum Disease
Certain conditions, however, can cause the bacteria in your mouth to increase dramatically. This might happen if you have poor dental hygiene habits or fail to get regular dental cleanings. In the early stages of gum disease, your gums pull away or recede from your teeth.
This leads to the formation of small pockets of space between your teeth and gums. These pockets can house harmful bacteria. As your immune system tries to fight the bacterial infection, your gums will start to recede in most cases. This will likely cause you to experience some bleeding when you brush and/or floss your teeth. It might lead to some bone loss as well.
Moderate To Advanced Gum Disease
Left untreated, mild gum disease will progress into moderate gum disease. You might start to experience pain and bleeding around the gum recession areas. Your teeth will also begin to loosen.
In the advanced stage of gum disease, the connective tissues that hold your teeth firmly in place will start to weaken. This is because of the destruction of your gums, bones, and other oral tissue that support your teeth. You might also experience severe bad breath, a lot of pain while chewing, and/or a terrible taste in your mouth. You can even start losing your teeth.
In the early stages of gum disease, symptoms are often quite noticeable. This is why it is important to undergo regular dental exams. Often, dentists are the first to notice signs and symptoms of gum disease.
To determine whether you have gum disease, visit Orange Door Dental Group at our offices in Elkhart or Warsaw, Indiana. You can call (574) 347-4793 or (574) 406-2115 today to schedule an appointment.
