Introduction
Early-stage periodontal disease (gingivitis) is seldom
painful and causes relatively minor signs, such as red,
swollen and bleeding gums. But untreated gingivitis can
progress to periodontitis, a serious infection that destroys
the soft tissue and bone that support your teeth, and eventually
may cause tooth loss.
long-term periodontitis can lead to even more-serious problems,
including higher blood sugar levels and an increased risk
of heart attack and stroke. Gum disease may even affect
your unborn child. Pregnant women with periodontitis are
much more likely to give birth to premature babies than
are women with healthy gums.
Yet periodontitis is both preventable and treatable. Although
factors such as smoking, heredity, medications and lowered
immunity make you more susceptible to gum disease, the most
common cause is poor oral hygiene. Daily brushing and flossing
and regular professional cleanings can greatly reduce your
chances of developing periodontitis.
Symptoms
In the earliest stages, periodontal disease causes few
signs or symptoms, and you may not be aware of a problem
until your gums become soft and bleed slightly when you
brush your teeth. As the disease progresses, you may notice
more-serious changes, including:
-
Swollen, bright red or purple gums
-
Gums that feel tender when touched
-
Gums that pull away from your teeth (recede),
making your teeth look longer than normal
-
New spaces developing between your teeth
-
Pus between your teeth and gums
-
Persistent breath odor or a bad taste
in your mouth
-
Loose teeth or a change in the way your
teeth fit together when you bite
Other types of periodontitis and their characteristics
include:
-
Chronic periodontitis. This most common
type of gum disease is characterized by progressive loss
of the bone and soft tissues that surround and support
your teeth. The damage usually develops more slowly than
it does in aggressive periodontitis.
-
Periodontitis as a manifestation of systemic
disease. This usually develops at a young age and occurs
in conjunction with another health problem, such as diabetes.
-
Necrotizing periodontal disease. A severe
form of periodontitis, this causes the death of gum tissue,
tooth ligaments and even bone. People suffering from malnutrition
or living with HIV/AIDS are especially vulnerable.
Causes
Periodontitis begins with plaque. This invisible, sticky
film forms on your teeth when starches and sugars in food
interact with bacteria normally found in your mouth. Although
you remove plaque every time you brush your teeth, it re-forms
quickly, usually within 24 hours.
Plaque that stays on your teeth longer than two or three
days can harden under your gumline into tartar (calculus),
a white substance that makes plaque more difficult to remove
and that acts as a reservoir for bacteria. Unfortunately,
brushing and flossing can't eliminate tartar — only
a professional cleaning can remove it.
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