gum disease

Signs of gum disease include painful, swollen, and bleeding gums. Seeking gum disease treatment is essential for maintaining a healthier, happier smile.

What is Periodontal (Gum) Disease and What Causes It?

Gum disease, or periodontitis, is a bacterial infection that attacks the tooth-supporting tissues. Poor oral hygiene allows plaque to accumulate and harden, leading to swollen, red, and bleeding gums, are amongst the most common gum disease symptoms

Unremoved Dental Plaque That Hardens into Tartar

Genetics

Smoking

Hormonal Changes

Certain Illnesses and Their Medications

How to Treat Periodontal (Gum) Disease

Periodontitis treatment involves procedures aimed at addressing gum disease and preventing further damage to the gums and supporting structures.

Scaling and Root Planing

This cleaning procedure removes plaque, tartar, and bacteria from below the gumline and smooths the tooth roots to promote gum healing and prevent further infection.

Periodontics

Periodontics is a specialized field of dentistry that focuses on the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of gum diseases.

more about periodontics

Nearly half (46%) of adults 30 years old and older have some form of gum disease.

Update on Prevalence of Periodontitis in Adults in the United States: NHANES 2009 to 2012

Routine Cleaning

Routine cleaning involves the removal of plaque, tartar, and stains from the teeth to maintain optimal oral hygiene and prevent dental issues.

MORE ABOUT CLEANING

Dental Hygiene

Dental hygiene encompasses practices and habits aimed at maintaining the health of teeth and gums – regular brushing, flossing, and professional cleanings.

MORE ABOUT DENTAL HYGIENE

Symptoms of Periodontal (Gum) Disease

Early periodontal disease may include swollen, puffy, or tender gums that bleed easily and appear bright or dark red, or dark purple. As the gum infection progresses, you may also experience persistent bad breath, pus between teeth and gums, loose or lost teeth, painful chewing, new spaces resembling black triangles between teeth, receding gums, and changes to your bite alignment.

Causes of Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease is caused by bacteria infecting the tooth's surrounding tissue, resulting in inflammation. The bacteria form plaque, a film on teeth that hardens into tartar or calculus. Tartar buildup can extend beneath the gum line, making proper cleaning at home difficult. Professional dental intervention is necessary to eliminate tartar and halt the progression of periodontal disease. Several factors heighten the risk. These include things you can control, like smoking and inadequate oral hygiene, and things you can’t, like diabetes, stress, heredity, crooked teeth, immunodeficiencies (e.g., AIDS), faulty fillings, medications causing dry mouth, ill-fitting bridges, and hormonal changes in females due to pregnancy or oral contraceptive use.

Gum Disease Complications

The progression of gum disease is typically gradual, and many patients do not experience pain, particularly in early-stage gum disease. However, if left untreated, symptoms of gum disease worsen, leading to periodontitis. This later stage gum disease can lead to periodontal abscess, the deterioration of the underlying jawbone, supporting gum tissue and bone, increasing the risk of tooth loss. Although periodontal disease itself is not life-threatening, the gum infection you have can contribute to the development of other health conditions that are. The risk for these fatal conditions increases if the infection spreads beyond the oral cavity. Fortunately, gum disease can be effectively managed through appropriate treatment. Early detection and intervention are crucial for improved oral health management in cases of gum disease.