Gum Disease, also known as periodontal disease, is an umbrella term as there many diseases that can cause harm to your gums. The most prevalent gum diseases are gingivitis & periodontitis. Some signs that you have gum disease are:
- Redness surrounding the gums
- Swelling
- Bleeding gums while brushing or eating
- Gum recession
Gingivitis is the most common type of gum disease and the mildest. It occurs when plaque is left to accumulate due to poor oral hygiene, causing the gums to become inflamed. Gingivitis can easily be reversed with professional dental cleaning & following up with good oral hygiene at home.
The second most common gum disease is periodontitis, this is a more severe condition that occurs when gingivitis is left untreated. Periodontitis not only affects the gum but the bone surrounding the teeth as well, if left un-treated it can lead to tooth loss. There are a few more factors that play a part in developing periodontitis other than just poor oral health, such as smoking, various systemic disease (e.g. Diabetes) and genetic predisposition. Unfortunately, periodontitis cannot be reversed but, it can be stabilised with the help from a Dentist and/or Periodontist, a gum specialist.
