Gingivitis and Periodontal Disease (Gum Disease): Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

Many of you have heard about gingivitis, but very few people know that though it is one of the least severe forms of gum diseases, it is the most widespread infectious disease in the world affecting about 70% of adult population of the planet.

Since the disease is not a very serious one, you might wonder why it is so important to diagnose and treat gingivitis. The answer is simple: untreated gingivitis can easily develop into a periodontal disease. This form of gum disease is more serious and very difficult to treat. This disease damages connective tissues surrounding your teeth. As a result, teeth become loose and may fall out one day. Another thing about periodontal disease and gingivitis that should be kept in mind is that those diseases might lead to heart attack or even a stroke. The main source of gingivitis is plaque glued to the surface of teeth and gums. Plaque contains countless bacteria that cause inflammation and bleeding , the gums become tender and swollen.

Moreover, gingivitis may lead to bad breath and bad mouth taste. There are certain groups of people who are more likely to suffer gingivitis (those who have diabetes and pregnant women). Those who are in the risk group should take special care of their mouth cavity and undergo regular dental examinations. Pregnant women who suffer gingivitis are more likely to give birth to underweight babies. This is one of the reasons why pregnant women should take special care of their teeth and attend their dentist regularly.

Luckily, modern medicine has developed a series of effective methods of treatment of gingivitis. These methods can help improve the condition of teeth and gums. To cope with gingivitis it is enough to attend your dentist regularly so that he could remove plaque and tartar from the surface of your teeth. Cleaning teeth at least twice a day as well as using a dental floss on a regular basis is also very helpful. Do not forget about mouthwashes that kill pathogenic bacteria and help prevent gingivitis.

Unlike gingivitis, periodontal disease is more difficult to treat and presupposes some cleaning procedures like scaling and root planing. The main purpose of such procedures is to remove tartar deposited on teeth and below the gum line. In certain cases periodontal disease may lead to destruction of bone. To restore it, surgical treatment is needed.

Methods of treatment of periodontal disease are certainly far from pleasant. That is why most people would choose to prevent the initial form of the disease gingivitis. To achieve god results, proper cleaning of teeth and regular flossing are essential. It is desirable to use toothbrushes with firm bristles as they tend to become softer in time and cannot remove plaque effectively. Mind the condition of the toothbrush. It should always be clean. Do not forget to use dental floss. It will cope with any plaque that might have left after cleaning. It is strongly recommended to see your dentist twice a year so that he could check the condition of your teeth and gums.

We have provided you with some simple and valuable pieces of advice concerning prevention of gingivitis. If you decide to follow them, you can keep your teeth and gums healthy for a very long time.