Synopsis: There are many people out there who brush their teeth regularly and have nice shiny white teeth, but who still can have gum problems. The gums are where the teeth are lodged, and unhealthy gums can lead to loss of otherwise healthy teeth.
An unhealthy mouth can lead to an unhealthy body, which is why a lot of families in Queensland, Australia, are taking extra care and are having regular visits to their dentists. The mouth is the entrance to the whole body, and poor dental hygiene can have an impact on your overall health, including heart disease and diabetes, so it is essential to make sure you are doing everything right. Gum disease, known as gingivitis, which in advanced stages can become periodontitis, occurs when the gum tissue becomes infected from bacteria like tartar and dental plaque and can lead to the loss of teeth and bone.
In the early stages, gums become inflamed, and you will notice bleeding when you are cleaning your teeth, but at this stage, there is no permanent damage, and the teeth are still seated firmly in their sockets. Because the inner layer of gum and bone begins to pull away, small pockets are being created where debris will settle, which will result in gum infection. The body’s immune system will try to fight this, but the bacteria in plaque can work with the immune system’s enzymes and make the problem worse. Left untreated, the pockets become larger, and the anchoring system for the teeth fails. Gum disease is responsible for more tooth loss than anything else.
Gum Disease Causes
Poor oral hygiene results in plaque, which triggers a disease of the gum, but this is not the sole cause of your gum problems, not by a long shot. Smoking is especially bad, as it makes it much harder for the gums tissue to be able to repair itself. Illnesses can interfere with the immune system, as can some medications, which reduce the levels of saliva the body produces, which helps protect teeth and gums. Hormonal changes such as in puberty, pregnancy and even monthly menstruation can make gums more sensitive and hence prone for gingivitis to develop. It is important to remember that gum disease is a dental issue that can affect anyone at any age, which can become very serious if left ignored.
Treating Gum Disease
Professional treatment is the only way to cure and make your gums healthy again, and you can get help from, among others, a dentist Newmarket families trust. Many people are unaware that they have periodontal problems, so it is highly advisable to get a check-up from your dentist on a regular basis, to catch the problem in its early stages. The gums need to be treated as soon as possible, and this involves reattachment of healthy gums to the teeth and swelling reduction of the pockets that have formed to lessen chances of infection and therefore preventing the disease from progressing further. The level of treatment will be determined once the stage of the disease is identified. Bacterial growth must be controlled, and supportive tissue has to be restored, which may require dental surgery.
Prevention Is Better than Cure
Gum disease can be reversed, and its progression prevented in most cases, by the correct control of plaque build-up. In addition to regular brushing and flossing, with use of antibacterial mouthwashes, it is recommended to have the teeth professionally cleaned by your dentist at least twice a year.
Gum disease is preventable and curable, so when you visit a dentist in Queensland, don’t forget to get that extra cleaning done, to make sure your gums are on track for perfect health.
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