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.

What is periodontal disease?

Did you know that the majority of Americans over the age of 35 have this disease? It is a disease process of the gingiva and supporting bone structure, beginning with bacterial growth in the mouth. If you fail to practice proper oral hygiene, then plaque may begin to grow under the gum line, setting in motion a long-term corrosive environment for your teeth and gums.

If the bacteria and other contributing factors are not removed and controlled, periodontal infections will ensue. Please note that not all cases of gingivitis become periodontitis. However, if the teeth are not rid of plaque, it will lead to this advanced stage of gum disease.

Periodontal Disease Stages

The oral cavity is the dirtiest part of the human body. It is perpetually populated by harmful microorganisms that work in a synergistic manner to destroy the living tissues found in the area. They thrive off the carbohydrate content of plaque.

The oral cavity usually contains more than 500 different types of microorganisms. Studies show that these pathogens play an important role in periodontal problems. However, it is still unclear about which play the biggest part in bone and tissue breakdown.

Gingivitis

During the early stage, bacteria begin to flourish in areas of heavy plaque build up. The toxins produced will cause the gums to become red and inflamed. These toxins literally eat away sensitive gum tissue over time. During this stage, many patients complain of bleeding gums when brushing their teeth or flossing. This is not normal! The gum tissue might have a bright red and bulbous appearance, due to pathological changes.

Take note that healthy gums are coral pink in color and the inter-dental areas are knife-life, not rounded. Keep in mind that no bone or tissue damage occurs at this stage. However, a lack of symptoms does not mean you don’t have gingivitis. The process is at work long before you notice the signs.

Periodontal Pockets

If one does not treat gingivitis, then the bacteria will slowly eat way at the gum line and supporting bone will become exposed. If you look in a mirror and are able to see through your teeth or if the gingival tissue is not attached, then you likely have periodontal pockets. This means that bacteria is at work in the area to slowly destroy the area.

Periodontitis

Once the gum pockets increase, bone and support gum tissues undergo degeneration. Periodontitis is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Gums separate from the teeth and deeper pockets develop exposing the teeth roots. At this stage the roots more susceptible to the entry of bacteria and further deterioration  You also become at risk for more serious health complications as the bacteria enter your bloodstream. Some have died as a result of serious periodontal infections. Periodontitis treatment is necessary in order to avoid further health risks and complications.

Gum Disease Symptoms

It is very important that you recognize the main symptoms of gum disease. This disease may progress slowly and at times, even painlessly. Some people do not notice that they have gum disease until it has progressed to periodontitis. The symptoms can be through the gum line or localized in one area. Here are some warning signs to watch out for.

• Bleeding Gums (after brushing or flossing)
• Chronic Bad breath (halitosis)
• Swollen Gums
• Gum inflammation (red gums)
• Receding Gums
• Periodontal pockets
• Uneven dentures or teeth bite.
• Loose teeth

If you have any of these symptoms, you need to pay attention closely. Do not immediately start brushing harder and investing lots of money in dental care products. Before you do anything, you must know the main cause. You simply cannot have a successful periodontal disease treatment unless identifying the root cause.

Causes of Gum Disease

Dental plaque is the primary cause of periodontal problems, however, certain factors may make a person more susceptible to gum disease. The following are some possible causes of gingivitis and periodontitis:

Smoking

Smokers produce less saliva, and they are prone to dry mouth syndrome or xerostomia. The lack of saliva allows the bacteria to build-up.

Medications

Some types of medicine can contribute to the development of gum problems. Anti-angina drugs like Adalat and Procardia are known to cause abnormal gum tissue growth. Dilantin, an anticonvulsant is another drug that produces the same results.

Hormone Changes

Puberty, pregnancy, monthly menstruation, and menopause are important stages in life wherein the human hormones fluctuate at greater levels. During these phases, the gums are more sensitive and prone to gingivitis.

Systemic Problems

Diabetics, people with HIV and cancer victims have weaker immune systems, in comparison to their healthy counterparts. Those with limited immunity are prone to develop infections more often.

Genetics

If one or both your parents have a dental history of periodontal problems, studies show that you have a higher chance of sharing the same fate. This is why it is important to practice proper oral hygiene.

Poor Oral Hygiene

If you are an otherwise healthy individual who practices poor oral hygiene, you are still prone to gingival disease. If you have weakened gums, it would be best to use a liquid toothpaste to minimize trauma or insult. Invest in natural solutions that contain spearmint oil, almond oil, and peppermint oil. These are natural disinfectants that soothe while they cleanse.

Periodontal Treatment

Once a patient is diagnosed with gum problems, the dentist starts an aggressive yet conservative treatment to promote healthy reattachment of the gingiva to teeth. He or she may prescribe antibiotics to control the infection as well. The gum treatment may take time as the patient will be asked to make regular bi-monthly visits for the initial two to three months of treatment.

People who suffer from bruxism, or night grinding, may be prescribed with appropriate mouth gear, in an effort to lessen tooth trauma. Since deep scaling is performed during the treatment period, the patient will also be asked to use antibacterial wash and/or mild liquid toothpaste, as he or he will be unable to brush the area at this point in time.

Disease Prevention

The answer is yes. People with gum disease can even expect the condition to be reversed, with the right dental techniques, of course. Proper daily oral hygiene habits must be practiced. Moreover, it is essential to have your teeth cleaned by a professional at least twice a year. However, people who have advanced periodontal disease are usually asked to visit their dentist once or twice a month, to ensure that it has not progressed. At home, you might also be prescribed to maintain proper oral health with natural liquid toothpaste. Some health and lifestyle changes can help prevent and control the problem.

Say Goodbye To Tobacco

Stop smoking, especially if you show signs of periodontitis. It should also be noted that there is a slim chance of success in periodontal procedures on patients who are smokers, as cigarettes act as a vasoconstrictor. Therefore, blood flow to the site is diminished.

Manage Your Stress

People who are under higher levels of stress have weaker immune systems. This makes them prone to develop infections. Try yoga or meditate. Have a healthy dose of retail therapy. Read a book. Do whatever makes you feel relaxed in your free time. Avoid clenching and grinding your teeth as well.

Eat Healthy

A proper and balanced diet can help ward off gum diseases. Eat foods that contain potent antioxidants and those that contain calcium, vitamin E, vitamin C and phosphorus. A well-balanced diet will make your immune system stronger.

Visit Your Dentist

Appointments are usually every 6 months or as often as your dentist advises. They will be able to clean in the crevices of the gums where most of the damage is usually done.

Brush Your Teeth Correctly

Use a soft-bristle brush to clean your teeth at least twice per day. Make sure that you do not use dental products that have harsh chemicals that may only further irritate your sensitive gums.
Many have found been successful in using essential oils for tooth infection pain and infections.

Don’t Forget to Floss

This is probably the most neglected habit. Many people who have later lost their teeth and had extensive dental work for dentures have commented how they wish they had flossed regularly earlier in life. Next time you are with your dental hygienist, ask for proper instructions about how to floss your teeth.

Healthy Gums and Teeth are Possible

Periodontal disease leads to tooth loss. If you are someone who wants a healthy set of teeth that will last a lifetime, it is important to take significant steps to avoid plaque build-up. dental care will save you more money in the long run. Imagine living a life free of dentures and the fear of the dental drill. It does not have to be the inevitable for you. You can take action today.

Take action today. Talk with your dentist to start treating periodontal disease. Since gum problems are reversible during the early stages, proper oral care techniques can help stabilize your teeth and prevent the progression of the problem. What are you waiting for?