Gum disease is also known as periodontists or periodontal disease and is very common with adults. You may be wondering now what is it? How do I get it? And is it preventable?
Gum disease is formed when plaque isn’t removed from brushing, flossing or seeing your dentist for your regular cleanings and check-ups. Bacteria in plaque produce toxins that can infect gum tissue which causes redness, irritation and bleeding. As gum disease worsens your gums will pull away from your teeth which creates pockets. Over time, these pockets can become deeper and when they become deeper, they fill with bacteria and toxins which then destroys gum tissue and bone. This most likely will result in tooth loss.
The initial stages of gum disease can be painless. This is why it’s so important to visit your dentist regularly because you can have gum disease and not even know it. By visiting your dentist on a regular basis, they will be able to catch any early signs of gum disease and be able to treat it right away so it doesn’t worsen. Early gum disease can be treated by our amazing team of hygienists. At Philly Dentistry we call it a deep cleaning which involves scaling and root planning that will remove the buildup and bacteria below the gum line to begin the healing process. After this treatment the gum disease can be kept in check by brushing, flossing, and regular dental cleanings with our Philly Dentistry team.
Some causes of gum disease can be from poor oral hygiene by not brushing or flossing daily. Smoking tobacco regularly, hormonal changes, illnesses, medications, family history and even stress can all cause gum disease. The symptoms of gum disease are:
*Redness
*Swelling
*Tenderness
*Bleeding
*Recession
*Painful chewing
*Deep pockets between teeth and gums
*Loose or shifting teeth
Studies suggest that gum disease could be connected to inflammatory conditions such as, Diabetes, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Chronic Kidney Disease and some forms of cancer. Ways to prevent this disease are to brush and floss daily, visit your dentist regularly, reduce the stress in your life, eat a well-balanced nutritious diet and finally stop smoking. Regular cleanings and checkups by our dental team are extremely important to keep your gums healthy. So, give us a call today at 215-568-6222 or send us an email info@phillydentistry.com to get scheduled for your routine cleaning and check-up. While you’re at it give us a follow us on Instagram @PhillyDentistry and don’t forget to brush and floss daily to maintain healthy teeth and gums for life.
