gum disease – PinDigest

The gum disease is the most common tooth infection which affects the tissues around the tooth. Gum disease causes the gum to swell, turn redness, and pain. If gum disease is not treated it can cause or lead to tooth loss of gum recession. Before we continue, I will recommend reading more about the crown filling for another toothache treatment. Gum disease can easily be prevented by regular brushing of teeth, having reasonable oral hygiene, and having regular check-ups. Gum disease can go on without you noticing it because it is usually not painful at the beginning. More related: Toothache Treatment: Root Canal Types of gum disease Gingivitis This is caused by bacteria due to building up of plaque, soft and sticky substances. Lack of brushing and flossing can cause gum inflammation, leading to bleeding and pains while brushing. Removing the plague completely and taking good care of the tooth can eliminate gingivitis, if not it can lead to periodontitis which is more serious. Symptoms of gingivitis Redness and swollen gumsBleeding after cleaning or flossing your teethHaving bad breath also known as halitosis Periodontitis The result of not treating gingivitis can cause inflammation and spread to bones and ligaments holding the teeth resulting in periodontitis. These cause the gum to separate from the tooth causing hole like pockets which then traps the plague that may be difficult to remove through brushing. The plaque can harden and become tartar which can also gather more plague and irritate the gums. Once it becomes harder, difficult to clean, and deeper making the problem even worse. This can develop into an infection, an abscess causing pus under the gum. This can also cause the gum to shrink and expose the root of the tooth making it sensitive, and cause the tooth to become loose and can lead to loss of few tooths. Symptoms of periodontitis Teeth sensitivityGum recessionBad breathShaky or wobbly toothGum abscessBad taste Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis ANUG The acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis or ANUG is a more severe disease of the gum that causes swelling, bad breath, ulcers, and pain, it can develop quickly. This type of gum disease needs an urgent dentist attention for treatment. Symptoms of acute necrotising ulcerative gingivitis ANUG can cause bad breathANUG can cause difficulty talking or swallowingANUG can cause painful bleeding ulcersANUG can cause a metallic taste in the mouthANUG can cause high temperature and sicknessANUG can cause you to have continuous saliva in the mouth Causes of gum disease It is caused by a plague build up around the teeth. When the teeth are not properly cleaned. Usually, people with dentures, implants, and braces may have difficulty cleaning their teeth properly. SmokingDiabetesPregnancySome certain medication that drys the mouthSugary food and drinksOld ageWeak immune system Treatment of gum disease Gingivitis can be treated through daily brushing and flossing.Using a periodontal probe to measure depth and gap in the gum and tooth.Checking for bleeding gums and how much plague and tartar in the teeth.Using x-ray to determined damage of the jaw bone and teeth.Using root planning to treat periodontitis and ANUG by removing the tartar and plaque.Using anesthetic to make the diagnosis less painful.Using antibiotics to treat serious infections.Using antiseptic mouthwash to help reduce bacteria build-up. This usually does not eliminate the problem.Undergoing a gum surgery when all treatment hasn't worked. This is done by a periodontist. How to prevent gum disease Prevent the build-up of plaque and tartar This happens when the tooth is not well looked after. When the teeth are not well looked after will result in plaque. If this hardens it becomes tartar which can also gather more plague and irritate the gums. Once it becomes harder, difficult to clean, and deeper making the gum disease problem even worse. Brushing and flossing the teeth You should brush your teeth for 2 minutes and twice a day using the brushing technics. Try some of the best toothbrushes recommended for healthy gums. Brushing for at least twice daily Most people dont brush their teeth properly, and they dont last 2 minuts doing, also and brushing twice a day is very important. Using mouthwash to rinse the teeth The common question is Should I use mouthwash? There is no rule against the use of mouthwash, anyone can use it. If you are using a mouthwash with fluoride, it can help stop your tooth from decaying. It is recommended not to use mouthwash with fluoride immediately after you had finished brushing. The toothpaste contains fluoride, washing mouth immediately after brushing by using mouthwash will wash out the concentrated fluoride on your teeth. Check out the best mouthwashes for gum disease. Using interdental brushes to clean between teeth The interdental brush is designed for use in cleaning between the teeth and they are very small in size. This is because the regular toothbrush only reaches about 60% of all corners of the teeth. According to tape.com, it is advised to use dental brushes daily to remove and clean those hidden spaces between the teeth. Check out some interdental brushes according to size, color, and customer reviews. How do I use an interdental brush? As stated above on uses of and benefits of using an interdental brush, below is how to use an interdental brush. Choose the right size for your teethWhen inserting, do it gently to avoid bleeding gumsOnce inserted, move the brush back and forth between each teethChange the size when needed, and change curve and wire if neededWhen the filaments are worn change the brush Using dental floss to clean between teeth The dental floss is a very thin soft thread for cleaning or scraping of teeth top-down between teeth. People who don't have enough large space in between their teeth for an interdental brush are advice to use dental floss as an alternative. Try this range of dental floss to find one suitable for you. Another alternative is a detal tape if the dental floss is too thin for you. Visiting the hygienist regularly A dental hygienist can help prevent and treat gum diseases and give dental advice according to your teeth hygiene. A regular visit to your dental hygienist will help identify any developing gum disease. There are many benefits of visiting your dental hygienist and they include: They will help to stop any bleeding gumsThey will provide treatment and prevent bad breathHelp improve your tooth health and clean the teeth for a whiter smileHelp to spot any signs of oral cancer that can easily be treated To help prevent tooth loss by identifying and treating any defective toothHelp to improve your teeth sensitivity Going for regular check-ups Going for regular check-ups is very important, not just when you feel something is wrong. Regular checks will identify underlying issues and provide early treatment. Pains and bleeding could be a result of underlying issues, do not wait for such signs before going to your dentist. Stop smoking Smoking harms the teeth, its damages the gum, it changes your teeth colors, and it gives the mouth bad smell. Smoking is very dangerous to health, mostly your mouth and teeth. Seek help to stop smoking as soon as possible. How often should you visit a hygienist? The golden rule for visiting a dental hygienist against gum disease is to schedule an appointment every six months. Some factors may contribute to how often you should visit a hygienist, if you take good care of your teeth, maintain a good diet, and the depends on your genetics. How long does a hygienist appointment last? A hygienist will clean thoroughly the teeth better than your general dentist, and it usually lasts more than 30 minutes. If you are prone to have gum disease or if you already do, it will last a longer to ensure you get proper clean. Anything less than that hasn't been properly done. Does flossing create gaps in teeth? Flossing your teeth does not cause or create gaps in teeth, but when done incorrectly can cause gum problem that can lead to pocket gaps. You should use about 18 inches of floss, then wrap the middle fingers and index fingers with the floss. Are interdental brushes reusable? Yes, interdental brushes are reusable, but it must be discarded once the bristles become bent or worn out. This is why you should visit your dentist who will recommend the best interdental brush to use and how to use it. How often should you change your interdental brush? Interdental brushes are similar to normal brushes, they are reusable as often as possible and thrown away once they are worn out. Remember not to use worn-out brushes as they can easily cause bleeding gums, its best to replace them soonest. Can interdental brushes damage teeth? Using large brushes can damage the teeth, but smaller interdental brushes do not damage the teeth. Using smaller than your gaps can not clean the teeth properly, using excessive force will cause damage to the teeth. Are you supposed to rinse after using mouthwash? No, you are not supposed to rinse your mouth with water right after a mouthwash. This is because the chemicals or ingredients in the mouthwash are still working, rinsing your mouth afterward dilutes those ingredients and makes it ineffective.