One of the most common diseases is also one of the most preventable. Gum disease is a chronic gum tissue infection that occurs in stages and affects tooth stability without treatment. Learn more about this oral health issue below, including what you can do to protect your teeth and gums. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Gum Disease

What causes it? 

Gum, or periodontal, disease occurs from excessive dental plaque buildup in the mouth due to lack of good oral hygiene. Plaque is a sticky biofilm that feeds on sugary food particles, producing acids that wear on tooth enamel and irritate gum tissue. 

As plaque builds up along the gumline, it causes gum tissue to swell and redden. Plaque also hardens into tartar that accumulates under the gumline to cause further irritation and is only removable by a dentist. 

What are the symptoms? 

Gingivitis is the first stage of this disease, with symptoms including red, swollen, bleeding gums. It does not harm the connective tissue or jawbone. 

If gingivitis remains untreated, it becomes gum disease. Plaque and tartar cause irreversible gum damage, or recession, at this stage. The teeth look longer as bleeding, swollen gum tissue recedes. Severe recession creates pockets along the gumline that allow bacteria to build up and infect the gums. 

Advanced periodontal disease means gum tissue has been eradicated by the infection, causing teeth to loosen. At this stage, the disease has spread to bone tissue, resulting in breakdowns that can result in severely loose and missing teeth. 

What treatment options are available? 

Treatment depends on the disease’s stage. Gingivitis is reversible with twice-daily brushing, once-daily flossing, and seeing a dentist for deep, tartar-removing teeth cleanings. Drinking plenty of water also helps reverse gingivitis because it flushes food particles from the mouth and encourages saliva production—saliva contains mouth acid-neutralizing enzymes. 

Gum disease treatment includes diligent home care and seeing the dentist regularly for cleanings. Dental scaling and planing are usually necessary. The dentist will scrape bacteria from tooth roots and smooth the roots against teeth to encourage reattachment. Advanced treatments include gum grafting, or adding new tissue to cover receded gums. 

How can I prevent it? 

Brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day and flossing once a day removes food particles that plaque feed on. Doing so also removes plaque itself to prevent damaging accumulation. You’ll also want to see your dentist twice a year for checkups, and drink water regularly. Opting for foods that naturally clean the teeth, such as apples, strawberries, and root vegetables, over sweet treats also helps—you’ll provide fewer sugary food particles for plaque to feed on. 

Protect your mouth from gum disease with cleanings from New Horizons Dental LLC. Since 2005, this practice has provided residents throughout Wood County, WI, with family dentistry services, including teeth cleaning and whitening. Call (715) 424-7810 to make an appointment or review new patient information online.