Gum disease does not develop all of a sudden; it has multiple stages and develops over time. Gum disease is caused primarily by poor oral hygiene. The main cause of gum disease is erratic and insufficient brushing and flossing. As per NIH,
Brushing and flossing help get rid of plaque. Plaque that is not removed can harden and form “tartar” that brushing doesn’t clean. Only a professional cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist can remove tartar.
Also, people who do daily brush and floss have reported gum disease too.
It’s a lot like cancer when it comes to predicting gum disease! At first, the symptoms could be so slight that patients can often ignore them until the gum disease has advanced. The following 4 symptoms are therefore the signs you can look for if you are suspecting gum disease:
Red and swollen gums
Healthy gums have the intention of being red and solid. However, just as with any serious infection, when infected, the gums swell too and turn red. This may be a symptom of several other severe oral disorders and is a disorder not to be left untreated.
Bleeding gums
This is a symptom of chronic gum disease. In this case, the bacteria that have invaded the gums start feasting around the tissues, thereby bleeding them. Does it ever happen that you see some blood in your saliva or do your gums start bleeding from your toothbrush bristles a little bit from minor scratches? This may indicate a severe gum disease.
Persisting bad breath
Gum disease patients may find that despite good brushing and flossing, they are constantly having bad breath and taste. The bad breath comes from the bacteria’s metabolism processes deep inside your gums, and no amount of brushing and flossing can get rid of it.
Loose teeth
The power of your gums keeps your teeth in their positions. When you’re having gum disease, your gums start losing their strength to bacteria and surrounding tissues, making your teeth lose. Receding gums might be a result of the same cause, too. You can find your teeth growing bigger. In reality, it is the gum line that is receding, revealing more of the teeth.
Is gum disease easy to cure? It certainly is! Yet, make sure you maintain good oral hygiene in the first place to stay away from it. And if you need care, you can get your gum disease treatment done by the best periodontist near you in Richmond TX.