gum disease

Gum Disease - Gingivitis

Gingivitis is the medical term for early gum disease, or periodontal disease. In general, gum disease can be caused by long-term exposure to plaque, the sticky but colorless film on teeth that forms after eating or sleeping.

Gum disease originates in the gums, where infections form from harmful bacteria and other materials left behind from eating. Early warning signs include chronic bad breath, tender or painful swollen gums and minor bleeding after brushing or flossing. In many cases, however, gingivitis can go unnoticed. The infections can eventually cause the gums to separate from the teeth, creating even greater opportunities for infection and decay.

Although gum disease is the major cause of tooth loss in adults, in many cases it is avoidable.

If gingivitis goes untreated, more serious problems such as abscesses, bone loss or periodontitis can occur. 

Periodontitis is treated in a number of ways. One method, called root planing, involved cleaning and scraping below the gum line to smooth the roots. If effective, this procedure helps the gums reattach themselves to the tooth structure.  However, not all instances of scaling and root planing successfully reattach the tooth to the gums.  Additional measures may be needed if the periodontal pockets persist after scaling and root planing

Pregnancy has also been known to cause a form of gingivitis. This has been linked to hormonal changes in the woman's body that promote plaque production.

Abscessed Tooth An abscessed tooth is a pocket of pus, usually caused by some kind of infection and the spread of...
Halitosis - Bad Breath Causes and Characteristics Halitosis, or bad breath affects an estimated 65% of Americans. Over...
Bulimia Nervosa And Oral Health People with eating disorders can suffer from oral health problems as well. This is...
Is A Canker Sore A Cold Sore? People sometimes confuse canker sores and cold sores, but they are completely unrelated....
Tooth Decay And Cavities What Is Tooth Decay? Tooth decay is caused by a variety of things; in medical terms, cavities...
Toothache And Toothache Causes Simple toothaches can often be relieved by rinsing the mouth to clear it of debris and...
Diabetes And Your Dentist People living with diabetes are vulnerable to a host of systemic problems in their entire...
Dry Mouth Causes And Treatments Saliva is one of your body's natural defenses against plaque because it acts to rinse...
Fluorosis Condition and Causes Fluorosis is a condition in which your body has been exposed to too much fluoride. In...
Gum Disease - Gingivitis Gingivitis is the medical term for early gum disease, or periodontal disease. In general, gum...
What Causes Wisdom Teeth Issues And Why Would They Need To Be Removed? Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of...
Do You Have A Cut Or Laceration To Your Mouth? Any kind of cut to your face and the delicate soft tissues inside your...
Oral Cancer Warnings and Prevention Oral cancer is one of the most common cancers today and has one of the lowest...
Plaque On Teeth Plaque is a film of bacteria that forms on your teeth and gums after eating foods that produce acids....
Sensitive Teeth And Tooth Sensitivity If you wince with pain after sipping a hot cup of coffee or chewing a piece of...
Teeth Grinding - Bruxism Teeth grinding, also called bruxism, is often viewed as a harmless, though annoying, habit....
TMJ And Jaw Disorders People who grind their teeth can sometimes develop a serious problem with their jaw, which left...
Missing Teeth and New Teeth Implants Fixed bridges and implants are often used to replace missing teeth and to correct...
Chipped or cracked a tooth? Special thin laminates, called veneers, can often be used to correct discolored, worn...
Gum Lifts For Excessive Or Uneven Gums Many people inherit the problem of excessive or uneven gums. An aesthetic...