What are Gingivitis and Periodontal Disease?
For most of us, these things are just a bunch of technical words cleverly used by advertisers to scare us into buying a particular brand of toothpaste. But they are real.
Gingivitis is the inflammation of gum tissue. Plaque or calculus (tartar) builds up along the gumline and irritates gums, causing them to swell.
Symptoms:
Gums may be sore, bleed easily and appear puffy, soft and swollen
Blood on the toothbrush or dental floss
Prognosis:
The good news is that gingivitis is both preventable and reversible. Regular bushing and flossing, plus visits to the dentist for professional cleanings can keep gingivitis at bay. But left unchecked, gingivitis may easily progress into Periodontitis and severely increase your risk of tooth loss!
Periodontal Disease is the destruction of bone and support structures of the teeth.
Symptoms:
Gums are red, swollen or tender
Gums bleed when you brush or floss them
Gums pull away from tooth surface and create bacteria collecting pockets
Infection between tooth and gum can cause a secretion of pus when gums are pressed
Permanent teeth loosen or separate
Change in the way teeth fit together
Bad breath
An itchy sensation
Prognosis:
The bad news is that Periodontal Disease is irreversible. (Although some of the damage that's been done can often be corrected with surgery or other techniques). Left untreated, the disease will progress. Ligaments holding teeth in their sockets will break down, gums will further pull away from teeth and bacteria will continue to collect in pockets between teeth and gums. Bleeding and sensitivity will increase and teeth may fall out or need to be removed to preserve the overall health of your mouth!
Gruesome as it may be, you can stop the progression of this disease, even in it's most severe stages. But good oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist are now a must!
