What are signs of gum disease?

Many of us our guilty of literally taking our mouth, our teeth and our gums for granted. Now think about how your body receives all the nutrition to survive? Everything goes through your mouth. Your mouth is subjected to 100 to 200 species of bacteria every day. That bacteria can and will cause damage in the nice warm environment of your mouth. Let’s further look at the causes behind gum disease, the various levels of the infection and the simple measures that you can take to prevent the disease altogether.

The Causes of Gum Disease

When that harmful bacteria are left in your mouth it creates and forms a sticky substance called plaque. That plaque, carrying the bacteria, will attack the hard enamel surface of your teeth. When that plaque reaches the soft tissue of the gums it will immediately infect the gum tissue. 47% of American adults over the age of 30 have been found to have some form of gum disease. Even if an individual brushes regularly but consumes a lot of sugar and can’t reach a back molar or two the gums could be infected and you can’t even see the signs.

The Signs of the Various Levels of Gum Disease

The very first stage of gum disease is called gingivitis. At this level the signs of the disease are the color change of your gums. They actually will become a darker color of pink. You might also question that the gums look like they might be swollen. At this stage there is no discomfort, no pain to register the advancement of the infection.

The next level of gum disease is when things become serious. Up to this point the disease is reversible. Now the signs become more evident. Your gums will begin to bleed. Your toothbrush might come out pink after brushing. The gums now become tender to the touch and if you look closely the  gums begin to pull away from the teeth. This stage is called periodontitis and can cause bone and tooth loss.

Preventive Measures for Gum Disease

Sometimes oral medications, elevated blood sugars and family history can cause gum disease but the lion’s share of the causes lays with poor oral hygiene. The health industry strongly suggests that you brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes each time. Every six months replace the toothbrush. They also suggest you floss at least once a day to remove the damaging plaque from the hard to reach areas between the teeth. It is also very wise to schedule and see your dentist twice a year for preventive examinations. They can immediately identify gum disease as well as any other issue that may be developing with your teeth. X-rays will show what is going on below the gum line and they will also give you a professional teeth cleaning removing any stubborn plaque that you may have missed with your brushing. Gum disease is all about you and taking good care of your mouth. Look in the mirror and smile. Enjoy it and take care of it.

More on Gum Disease : What are Symptoms of Gum Disease?