Gum disease is experienced by adults in epidemic proportions, yet few people really understand the causes of this condition. Few understand gingivitis and periodontitis treatment options when considering how to effectively protect their teeth and gums. By understanding more about your own oral health and how to monitor it effectively, you can avoid having to undergo expensive and potentially painful dental procedures.

Gingivitis is the first phase of gum disease and it usually presents itself with mild symptoms. It can be reasonably easily reversed with good oral hygiene practice and a thorough, professional cleaning by your dentist. If gingivitis is not treated and gum health restored, then the damage will likely increase.

Gingivitis Symptoms

There are a number of signs that you may have developed gingivitis. If you notice any of these symptoms, then you should visit your dentist immediately in order to reverse the condition, before you begin to experience more advanced symptoms of periodontal disease. Look out for:

• Swollen gums.
• Gums that bleed after brushing or eating.
• Darker or redder than normal gums.
• Persistent bad breath that is present even after brushing your teeth.

By visiting a dentist every six months for a check-up and complete cleaning, you can protect your oral health and also avoid developing gum disease. Your dentist is able to spot the early signs of the condition before you notice them. They can also teach you the right techniques to brush and floss your teeth.

How to Reverse Gingivitis

Generally, it is pretty easy to overcome gingivitis and renew your dental health. All you normally need to do is to follow a regular dental hygiene program at home, which is directed by your dentist. This should include:

• Brushing at least 2 times daily, ideally after meals.
• Floss your teeth to remove food particles that get stuck between teeth.
• Use a natural mouthwash to rinse away residual bacteria (commercial mouthwash can potentially cause more harm than good – beware of toxic ingredients).

By completing these three simple steps you can eradicate much of the bacteria and plaque that grow in your mouth on a daily basis and which are the chief cause of gum disease. Regular brushing, flossing, and rinsing are required as the bacteria are consistently multiplying in your mouth after you eat or drink.

What Happens if Gingivitis is Ignored?

If you ignore the signs of gingivitis and allow the condition to advance, then your gum tissue will deteriorate. Eventually, the gum tissue will become so infected that you will develop periodontal disease.

What happens is that the bacteria in your mouth cause inflammation and infection, which work their way down into the roots of the teeth. When the infection gets down under the gum line, it causes periodontal pockets where large amounts of bacteria can collect and cause more serious infection.

Gingivitis can be easily and quickly treated and you will not experience long-term oral health problems, but periodontal disease is another story entirely. If you have developed periodontal disease, then you are likely to have to undergo more intensive treatments provided by your dentist, or a specialized periodontal dentist.

Treatments can be surgical or non-surgical. Non-surgical treatments generally involve deep cleaning and trying to reduce the amount of bacteria around the gum tissue.  By eradicating bacteria that have collected in periodontal pockets and on the gum surface you can stop the disease from progressing.

If the gum disease is very advanced, then surgical procedures are able to restore some aspects of your dental health. Unfortunately, when the periodontitis is severe, there may be some irreversible problems such as tooth loss.

Treatments for Periodontitis

There are a variety of treatments that may be utilized by your dentist when you are suffering from periodontitis. The procedure that is chosen for you will depend on the severity of the condition and may be performed by a regular dentist or a specialized dentist, known as a periodontist.

To overcome this condition requires a series of procedures, medications, and other dental care. It is a lengthy process to restore the damage effects of periodontal disease.

There are four potential phases of treatment for periodontitis:

1. Cleaning and scaling of the teeth and gums
2. Surgery to restore the gum tissue or remove damaged tissue
3. Medication such as antibiotics may be used to prevent further bacterial infection
4. Maintenance of gum health and observation

The following explains some of the different periodontitis treatments that are currently being used by dentists:

Non-Surgical Procedures

Non-surgical procedures are usually the first options for treating periodontal disease. They are generally performed when the condition is not too far advanced.

Scaling and Root Planing: Scaling and root planing are commonly performed together to try and remove bacteria and tartar that cause gum disease. Scaling seeks to remove bacteria and tartar by scraping them away using a special dental instrument. Root planing smoothes out the tooth root and removes combats the infection. This treatment is also known as root surface debridement.

Your dentist may use a local anesthetic to limit pain or discomfort during this procedure. The amount of discomfort you are likely to experience depends on how deep the periodontal pockets have become.

Following the procedure you may:

• • Have some discomfort or swelling around the site where the procedure was performed.
  • Experience increased tooth sensitivity.
  • Be recommended over the counter pain relief such as ibuprofen.
  • Have to postpone flossing and brush gently in order to avoid aggravating the area.
  • Be required to use a chlorhexidine antibacterial mouthwash.

Laser Treatment: Some dentists now use laser therapy to remove damaged or infected gum tissue and tartar. It can also be used to reduce inflammation of the gums.

Antibiotics: Since periodontal disease is caused by a bacterial infection, effective treatment plans will often involve a course of antibiotics. These may be prescribed by the dentist as a tablet or a topical solution to be applied directly to the infected area. Normally, antibiotics will be used along with other non-surgical options.

Surgical Procedures

These days non-surgical treatments for periodontal disease are very effective. In most cases, the condition can be resolved using non-surgical methods. In some circumstances, however,  the dentist might decide that surgery is required.

Surgical procedures are generally used when non-surgical efforts have not eradicated the condition, or when the dentist judges that the periodontal disease is too far advanced to benefit from milder treatments.

There are a couple of different treatments for periodontitis that involve surgery. These may be done to restore the gums that have receded or to eradicate diseased gum, and even bone, tissue. The surgeries that can be performed generally fall into one of two categories:

• Pocket reduction procedures – to reduce the pockets that form around the teeth and collect bacteria and infection.
• Regenerative procedures – to restore healthy gum tissue.

Gingivectomy: This procedure is normally performed by a specialist dentist and seeks to remove diseased gum tissue. As well as this, it also restores the receded gums in order to reduce the periodontal pockets where the bacteria collect.

Flap Correction Procedure: This dental surgery will clean the teeth roots and can also repair the damage done to the bone where infection has spread.

Gum Grafting: With uncontrolled infection, the dentist may need to remove diseased gum tissue. In this case, the diseased tissue might need to be replaced with healthy tissue. To do this, the dentist will remove healthy tissue from another site and use it to replace the infected gums.

Tooth Removal: When you have advanced gum disease, the gums begin to recede. One of the most important jobs that your gums do is to keep your teeth firmly in place. When they recede they are unable to offer enough support and the teeth can become loose and even fall out. If the dentist sees that the gums are unable to support the tooth due to disease, then it may be necessary to remove them and replace them with the prosthesis.

Can Surgery Cure Periodontal Disease?

No. Surgery is not able to “cure” the condition. What the non-surgical and surgical treatments can offer is a cleansing. These procedures can restore the gum health to a certain extent; however, it is up to the patient to ensure that they follow the treatment fully. Only full and consistent treatment can keep bacteria in check.

Gum disease is caused by bacterial overgrowth and infection. In order to “cure” the condition, consistent removal of the bacteria that accumulate in your mouth every day is needed.

Once dental surgery or other treatments have been performed, the patient needs to be very careful about home oral hygiene.

Looking After your Dental Health

Each time you eat something bacteria grow in your mouth. The bacteria and your saliva mix and produce the sticky, yellowish substance known as plaque. Plaque can harden into what is called tartar. This is what your dentist scrapes away with a metal object while at your cleaning visit. The destructive process of bacteria, plaque and tartar are one of the causes of gum disease.

In order to prevent these substances from causing disease, you need to follow a consistent home dental hygiene routine. This should include:

• Brushing – at least twice a day, but preferably after each meal.
• Flossing.
• Using a mouthwash.
• Visiting your dentist for check-ups.

By following the above four steps, you will be able to keep bacterial growth at bay. This is the only effective way to prevent infections, disease, cavities and other dental problems in the long-term.

Selecting Dental Products

In addition to following a stringent oral health routine, you need to be careful about the dental products that you use. Some products available on the market contain chemicals that can actually damage sensitive gum tissue.

• Sodium Lauryl Sulphate: Try to avoid products that contain sodium lauryl sulfate. This chemical is a foaming agent that is used in many dental preparations, shampoos, beauty products and cleaning liquids. However, it can worsen existing oral health issues and damage your gum tissue. Some studies have even identified this ingredient as a potential carcinogenic.
• Alcohol – A number of mouthwash products contain alcohol, but it is best to avoid it. The reason is that alcohol actually dries out your mouth, which makes it more favorable for bacteria to flourish. Since gum disease is caused by an overgrowth of bacteria, you want to avoid encouraging its presence.

When you are shopping for dental products, check the labels to ensure that they do not contain either of the above chemicals. Products that contain natural ingredients, such as tea tree or peppermint oil, are a great alternative to standard toothpaste and mouthwash that have harsh ingredients.

Further Tips for Protecting Oral Health

In order to combat periodontal disease, there are a couple of extra things that you can do. Take a look at your lifestyle and make some simple changes that can improve not only your oral health but your overall well-being.

• Quit smoking – there are few things worse for your teeth and gums than smoking. It encourages bacterial growth and infection; leaches vitamins from your organism that are required for healthy teeth and gums and reduces circulation to the gum tissue.
• Sugar – Bacteria just love to feed on sugar, so cut out as much sugar from your diet as possible.
• Eat fresh – reduce the amount of processed foods that you eat and replace them with fresh produce. This will provide you with much-needed vitamins and minerals to support good dental health.
• Reduce stress – stress is one of the biggest causes of illness and disease. By finding better ways to handle stress, you will enjoy a much better level of health.
• Visit your dentist regularly – check-ups every six months are necessary In order to maintain good oral health and prevent any problems from developing into acute conditions. Ask your dentist how to reverse receding gums naturally with botanical oils such as spearmint and peppermint — effective bacteria killers.

Periodontal disease treatment can be very effective and help you to avoid long-term dental problems. However, prevention is always better so ensure that you follow the above advice in order to maintain a healthy mouth.

We all know that we should be looking after our teeth and following a good oral hygiene routine. However, most people do not pay close enough attention to brushing, flossing and rinsing their mouths. Eventually they have pain in the gums and teeth. The pain usually comes, however. long after the disease has been in process when they have advanced periodontitis symptoms. So what are the signs and symptoms of periodontal disease in advanced stages? In this article, we will learn more about the signs of periodontitis for which to be looking and their risk factors.

Most adults will develop some degree of gum disease infection. In addition, very few of us make it through adulthood without having to have fillings, crowns or undergo more serious dental procedures such as root canal surgery. It can do serious damage to our bank account and to your gum tissue and bone, and teeth. This can all be avoided in the early stages of gum disease with good proactive oral care and professional cleaning.

Mild gum disease

Advanced periodontal disease does not just appear from nowhere. It is a gradual process that begins with small amounts of bacteria irritating the gum tissue. Over time, it becomes mild gum disease and eventually a more serious health issue.

Gingivitis is generally the first kind of oral health problem that adults develop. This is a mild infection of the gingiva (gum tissue) and teeth. If you develop gingivitis, you are likely to notice some of the following symptoms:

• Swollen gums
• Redness and inflammation of the gum tissue
• Bad breath
• Bad taste in your mouth
• Bleeding gums when you brush your teeth

If you notice any of these signs, you should visit your dentist for a check-up so they can provide a deep clean to remove bacteria and plaque and give you advice about how to effectively treat the condition. When you notice the early signs of gingivitis and seek out advice, you are generally able to reverse the condition very easily.

Typically, treatment for gingivitis involves merely following your oral hygiene routine religiously. In order to restore your gum health, you will need to brush, floss and use a mouthwash at least twice a day. For best results have your dentist recommend products and show you how to brush and floss using the right technique. Alternatively, an electric toothbrush with an oscillating head may be a good choice to remove the maximum amount of bacteria and plaque with each brushing. Start good habits today. So start brushing and flossing today!

Advanced Gum disease

Periodontal disease, also known as periodontitis, is the stage that follows gingivitis. If a person does not seek out timely treatment when they have gingivitis, the bacterial infection will continue to develop. The plaque and bacteria that have accumulated under the gum line convert into tartar, which is a calcified substance that must be cleaned by a dental hygienist or dentist. Usually scaling and root planing is required.

If untreated with dental professional cleaning, this can lead to very serious infection and more serious dental problems. Unfortunately, when you have periodontal disease, you may not be able to fully reverse the condition and may experience some permanent damage to your dental health.

Some of the damaging symptoms that you may experience when you have periodontal disease include:

• Receding gums – where the gums pull away from the teeth, which diminishes the support they can offer to the teeth. Receded gums and teeth infections will continue if uncontrolled.
• Periodontal pockets – pockets, which look like puckered gum tissue, where the tooth and the gum meet. These are filled with harmful bacteria that further destroy the gum tissue and bone, and teeth.
• Loose teeth – since the gums have receded away from the teeth, they do not get enough support. This can result in teeth falling out. This is a permanent problem as teeth cannot be replaced and you will instead have to implant prosthetics.
• Periodontal Abscesses – since the bacterial infection is now quite advanced, abscesses can appear around the tooth root. These become very painful and can potentially leak out pus.
• Infected gum bone – infection can go all the way down into the bone and lead to a need for intensive anti-biotic treatment and surgery. Once you loose bone you cannot gain it back. Gum disease is very serious and should not be taken lightly.

Learn more about periodontitis treatment and its root cause.

Who is at risk of developing gum disease?

Children are unlikely to develop gum disease, but adults have a very high risk of developing gingivitis. As an adult, there are a couple of factors that may heighten your risk of developing gum disease:

• Not brushing teeth regularly or thoroughly
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Certain illnesses where the immune system function is impaired
• Eating a diet high in sugar or processed foods
• Pregnancy, menopause or other times of hormonal upheaval for women

How to Treat Periodontal Disease

Once you have developed advanced periodontal disease, it is imperative that you seek out professional cleaning and periodontitis treatment. By this stage it may be impossible to fully recover from the condition without permanent damage being felt. Boost your immune system and search out for powerful solutions.

Treatments may include a combination of non-surgical procedures where the bacteria, plaque and tartar are removed from the mouth:

• Scaling and root planing as part of professional cleaning at the dentist office by a dental professional.
• Medications such as antibiotics used to kill off the bacteria.
• Surgical procedures to remove bacteria or to restore healthy gum tissue.
• Natural tooth and gum oils to keep in constant contact with the bacteria.

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Periodontal gum disease is something to be taken lightly, but it can be easily avoided. In order to protect your teeth and gums from developing this serious infection, you need to be able to identify the periodontal disease symptoms. If you are armed with this knowledge, then you can enjoy strong healthy teeth and gums throughout your adult life.

There are several warning signs that should ring alarm bells that all is not right with your dental health. Here are the top seven to look for. If discover any of these symptoms of periodontal disease, then you should talk to your dental care professional for advice immediately:

• Sensitive and swollen gums
• Persistent bad breath or foul taste
• Bleeding gums when you brush, floss or eat crunchy foods
• Receding gums – where gums lines have shrunk from the teeth
• Loose teeth
• Pus on the gums
• Changes in your bite – the way that your upper and lower teeth fit together

What causes periodontal disease?

Periodontitis is the advanced stage of gum disease whereas gingivitis is the initial stage. At the foundation of all stages is a bacterial infection in the teeth and gum line. Bacteria are always present in the mouth to some degree, but they multiple and flourish after you eat something.

The bacteria feed on food particles that are left over in the mouth on the teeth and gums. When there is an overgrowth of bacteria in the mouth, they release toxins, which lead to infection of the gum tissue.

Bacteria, develop into tartar and plaque, which contribute to the condition. Plaque is a sticky substance that is created when bacteria and saliva mix. It coats the teeth and gums daily and can irritate them quickly. When plaque is not removed regularly, it becomes hard tartar.  It requires professional cleaning to removed tartar and plaque that is present.

It is very important to remove bacteria constantly by maintaining a good oral hygiene routine. This is the only reliable way to be able to protect gums and teeth from dental problems such as infection and dental decay.

Prevent gum disease naturally

In order to avoid developing either gingivitis or periodontal disease, you should consistently follow a dental hygiene plan at home. In should include, but is limited to:

• Brush twice daily (or after each meal)
• Floss daily
• Maintain a bacteria-controlled environment  (mouthwash, natural oils…)

In addition to your daily home oral health habits, you need to frequent your dental hygienist at least twice a year for a deep clean and a check-up (or as often as they recommend). Your dentist is able to clean away any tartar that might be developing on the teeth or under the gum line. They are also able to detect the early stages of periodontal disease before you notice any unusual symptoms and therefore prevent it from setting in.

Brushing – Brushing your teeth is the chief way in which you can remove bacteria from your teeth. Ideally, you should  brush the  teeth after every meal, but if this is not possible  for you, you should at least brush in the morning and the evening.

In addition to maintaining a daily routine, it is also very important to apply the right technique. Start by brushing the upper teeth on the inside, then then the outside. Next, move to the lower teeth brushing the inner side and then the outer side. Finally, brush on the horizontal surface of the teeth on the upper and lower sections.

On the inside and outside of the teeth, hold your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle toward the gums and use sweeping motions to brush away from the gum line. On the tops of the teeth, you need to brush back and forth.  You should brush your teeth for at least two minutes in order to get rid of the maximum amount of bacteria, plaque and food debris.

Flossing – Flossing is a vital step for removing the food debris that get stuck between teeth every day. To floss effectively, you need to wind floss around your index fingers and hold it in place with your thumb. Between each hand, leave a space of floss of about five centimetres.

Start at the back teeth and work your way forwards. First, delicately glide the floss between the teeth into the gum groove, then move it alone the tooth scraping the tooth surface. Do not slide it back and forth along the gum; this movement is likely to cause bleeding and injury.

Mouthwash – The third step of a successful oral hygiene routine is using a mouthwash (or botanical oil) at least twice a day. Swilling this around your mouth after brushing and flossing will get rid of leftover bacteria and food particles and leave your mouth clean and fresh. Make sure you select a mouthwash that is alcohol free for best results.

By being free of the periodontal disease symptoms and knowing how to prevent the condition, you can have vibrant dental health. When you put this knowledge into practice and follow a good oral hygiene routine and see your dentist regularly, you are unlikely to ever have to deal with painful and expensive dental treatments.

Periodontal disease refers to an inflammation and infection of the gum tissue and it will affect most adults at some stage. Since so many people are affected by gum disease, it is important that the population understands a little more about this condition. Knowledge of the condition and periodontal disease stages mean that you have a very good chance of protecting your teeth and gums in the long-term.

What causes periodontal gum disease?

Periodontal disease is an oral condition that can affect the gum tissue, teeth and bone underneath the gums. It is chiefly a bacterial infection, which is caused when toxins are released by the food that we eat on a daily basis and plaque and tartar.

When you eat, bacteria in the mouth flourish as they feed on the food particles that remain inside your mouth and stuck between your teeth. The bacteria and your saliva mix together and produce a sticky, yellow-like matter called plaque. If plaque is not removed regularly, then it will harden on your teeth and beneath the gum line and become tartar.

If high amounts of bacteria, plaque and tartar develop in the mouth, it leads to infection. This infection, if caught early on can be easily reversed and oral health restored. However, if the infection is left to develop further, then serious dental health problems can occur. The effects of bad oral health and other health issues are well known.

Bacteria and plaque must be removed from the teeth and gums daily to maintain good dental hygiene. In order to prevent this infection from taking root and causing some potentially serious dental problems, you need to follow a good oral health routine. This should include:

• Brushing ideally after each meal, but at least twice a day
• Flossing every day using the correct technique
• Rinsing your mouth with a mouthwash twice a day
• Visiting your dentist for a routine check-up and clean every six months.

What are the stages of periodontal disease?

There are a few different stages of periodontal disease from mild to extreme. The three chief stages of gum disease are:

• Gingivitis
• Periodontitis
• Advanced periodontitis

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is the initial and mildest form of periodontal disease. Shockingly, however, almost every adult will develop this phase of the condition at some time. This highlights just how easy it is to develop mild gum disease and how important it is for you to remain consistent with your home dental care routine.

This stage of the condition occurs when there is the beginning of a bacterial infection in the gum tissue inside the mouth. Some of the symptoms you may experience with gingivitis include:

• Persistent bad breath, even after you have brushed your teeth
• Gums that bleed after brushing or eating crunchy food
• Redder or darker than normal coloured gums
• Swelling and inflammation
• Gums that are tender when touched.

Gingivitis Treatment

At this stage the gum disease is easily treated because the condition only affects the gum tissue. If these symptoms are present in your mouth, then you must see your dentist for a deep clean and professional advice about how to successfully treat your condition.

Most of the time, you can successfully treat gingivitis simply by stepping up your home dental hygiene. Make sure that you are brushing after each meal using the correct technique for two minutes. Floss your teeth at least once a day and use an alcohol-free mouthwash twice a day. If you follow this routine consistently, then you have a very good chance of overcoming the condition without the need for invasive dental treatments or medications.

Periodontitis

If gingivitis is not properly treated, then the condition will worsen until it becomes periodontitis. This is a much more serious stage of gum disease bringing with it some potentially long-term dental problems.

Once gum disease has become periodontitis, you run a substantial risk of either losing teeth or having to undergo expensive, painful and invasive dental procedures to restore oral health.

When you have arrived at this stage, the bacterial infection of the gum tissue may be serious enough that you need to take oral antibiotics. In addition, surgical procedures may be required to remove diseased gum tissue or restore the tissue so that it can successfully support the teeth.

At this stage you may experience the same symptoms as gingivitis as well as:

• Receding gums – where the gums pull back from the teeth, thereby minimizing the support they offer.
• Loose teeth – due to receding gums, your teeth may become wobbly.
• Periodontal pockets – these are little puckered pockets of gum tissue near the tooth root that collect bacteria.

Advanced periodontal disease

The condition of the teeth and gums continues to deteriorate when you have advanced periodontal disease. This can include:

• Tooth loss
• Infection of the bone around the teeth
• Increased depth of periodontal pockets.

Periodontitis treatment

There are various ways in which this stage may be dealt with by your dentist. The specific treatments will be chosen based on your individual circumstances. Among the procedures that may be considered include:

Scaling and root planing – this is done to remove the plaque and tartar on the teeth and under the gum line.

Antibiotics – these are normally prescribed alongside other treatments to help eradicate bacterial infection.

Gingival flap surgery – the gums are folded back while the dentist cleans out the bacteria from the pockets and then gums are reattached.

Gum grafting – tissue is taken from other areas, such as the roof of the mouth, and used to replace diseased gum tissue around the teeth.

Periodontal disease and its related signs and complications are more common than you think. According to the American Dental Association (ADA)  two-thirds of  people over the age of 35 will progress to some stage of gum disease. With this in mind it is very important that people understand what is periodontal disease, so that they can spot the signs early on and protect their oral health.

If you allow gum disease to develop in your mouth and progress until it becomes periodontitis, then you are risking long-term dental health problems, such as tooth loss, and will probably undergo expensive and painful dental treatments. However, if you understand the basics about this condition, what causes it and how to prevent it, then you will be able to enjoy a high standard of oral health all your life. Fortunately, there are simple ways in order to avoid developing the condition.

What is periodontal gum disease?

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is an umbrella term for an oral health condition that primarily affects your gum health. There are basically two stages of gum disease: gingivitis and periodontal disease. Gingivitis is the first, and milder, stage of gum disease. If this condition is not treated, then you are likely to experience a deterioration of your oral and gum health and will begin to see symptoms of periodontal disease.

Gum disease is the chronic out-of-control growth of destructive bacteria in the teeth and gum line. Our mouths are exposed to an onslaught of bacteria daily, introduced to our mouths through the food that we eat. Food particles get stuck between our teeth and around our mouths and bacteria feed on these and flourish. These bacteria release toxins that can, over time, damage the health of the gum tissue and cause disease.

When there are a lot of bacteria in the mouth, it combines with the saliva and produces a sticky, yellowish substance known as plaque. If this is not cleaned thoroughly, then the plaque becomes hard tartar, which is can only be remedied by a dental hygienist. When left untreated these are responsible for irritating the gum tissue and causing gum disease.

Bacteria and plaque need to be removed regularly by following a good oral health routine. In only two or three days plaque will convert into tartar under the gum line and this can lead to the beginning of gum disease.

Symptoms of Gingivitis

Although there are several symptoms and signs of gingivitis, many people do not spot them in time. Make sure you are alert for the following indications that your gum health is not what it should be:

• Persistent bad breath
• Bad taste in your mouth
• Red and swollen gums
• Bleeding gums after brushing teeth or eating crispy or hard foods
• Tender gums
• Gums that are darker than normal color.

It is important that you visit your dentist regularly for oral health check-ups as they are able to detect the early signs of gum disease before you are likely to notice anything. They can also provide you with professional advice about how to avoid developing the condition and how to best protect your overall oral health.

Symptoms of Periodontal Disease

When the symptoms of gingivitis are ignored, you are likely to eventually develop periodontal disease. While gingivitis can easily be treated and, in most cases, quickly reversed with no long lasting issues, periodontal disease is more serious. If you have developed this condition, then you urgently need to seek out professional dental care in order to restore your oral health. In some cases however, there may be some permanent damage.

Some of the signs of periodontal disease include:

• Very swollen and uncomfortable gums
• Persistent bleeding gums
• Receding gums – visible pockets between the teeth.
• Loose teeth
• Pus or abscesses

If you notice any of the above signs, then you need to visit your dentist immediately to receive a proper diagnosis and begin an appropriate treatment plan.

How to Prevent Gum Disease?

Fortunately, preventing gum disease and protecting your long term oral health is actually pretty straightforward. The key to preventing periodontal disease is to follow a stringent oral health routine every day.

Your oral health routine should consist of brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing and using periodontal rinse to  kill residual bacteria and wash away food particles. In addition, you should see your dentist at least twice a year for a check-up. Your dental hygienist will be able to do a thorough clean to remove plaque and tartar. By following a good daily oral hygiene routine, you will remove most of the bacteria that cause gum disease to develop.

Periodontal disease can cause severe infection and tooth loss; however, you can easily protect your dental health by understanding what is periodontal disease, how to prevent it and by being able to spot the signs that your gum health is at risk. With a better understanding of the condition, far fewer adults will have to suffer from this potentially painful condition.