Gum diseases are one of the common dental problems, resulting from unhealthy oral habits. Experts have named them periodontal diseases, as they infect the area surrounding your tooth and its supportive structure. Depending on the severity of the area affected it can be divided into three categories; mild, reversible, and irreversible. If you live in Kelowna, your local dentist has seen cases in which people are too late to spot the issue. So here we are to talk about the causes, symptoms and treatment of gum disease.
Cause of Gum Disease
Now when looking through the causes you might hear the word ‘inflammation’ a lot. This is because directly or indirectly the causes of periodontal disease support inflammatory responses. The response supports the growth of bad bacteria in your mouth and you find yourself experiencing sharp pain and sensitivity.
- Genetics: Lack of collagen value or genes to fight inflammatory response is a frequent cause of periodontal disease. When you have genetics that simply develop weaker gum disease you might get gum disease once in your lifetime.
- Tobacco: Firstly tobacco weakens your immune system, robbing your opportunity to fight severe gum diseases. It slows down the recovery process after surgeries and treatment too due to nicotine. On top of that, intake of tobacco regularly leaves you with tar or plaque formation, thus damaging your teeth.
- Plaque build-up: One of the primary reasons for gum diseases, plaque is a colourless and sticky film formed on your teeth. Irregular oral habits can lead to plaque formation and result in the initial stage of gum disease: gingivitis.
- Medical Conditions: Particularly two medical conditions make the progression of gum diseases easier; one is diabetes and another is hormonal changes. During diabetes harmful bacteria thrive on high blood sugar levels in saliva. On the other hand, during menopause, pregnancy or the menstruation cycle, gums become more susceptible to inflammation.
- Decrease Nutritional Value: Maintaining proper nutrient intake is essential for preventive oral health. Lack of vitamin C leads to bleeding, inflammation, and infections. Essential nutrients include vitamins C, A, and D, calcium, and antioxidants, their absence can slow down recovery and gum infections leading to tooth loss.
Stages & Symptoms
Let’s move on to the stages and symptoms of gum disease infection.
- Red, Swollen, Tender Gums: The first stage and sign of periodontal disease is known as gingivitis. Here your gum becomes inflamed due to bacteria formation on your teeth. You can spot redness, swollen gums, and sensitive gums. If left untreated it can lead to periodontal disease.
- Bleeding and Receding Gums: You can also spot bleeding or your teeth appearing longer when you have gum diseases. The reasons are due to sensitivity: hard food damages your gum easily and gum tissues are pulling away from your teeth.
- Bad Breath and Loose Teeth: Now these are more obvious symptoms of having a gum disease infection. Your breath has a pus-like odor and your teeth don’t functionally fit into the socket.
- Over the Time Changes: If you have dentures they will get loose when you have a gum disease. However, for a normal person, their jaw alignment and bite structure change strangely.
- Pus Between Gums and Teeth: A serious sign of gum infection disease is pus between your gums and teeth. Generally observed during the serious it is known as periodontal abscess. It is a thick coating of fluids, dead tissues, and bacteria.
Treatment of Periodontal Diseases
Do you live in Kelowna? Are you experiencing the following symptoms that we have listed above? If yes then it will be wise to opt for gum health treatment in Kelowna. Listen you don’t need to be worried or to be overwhelmed, let us help you understand what to expect during the treatments. There are generally three types of treatment depending on the case and stages of your gum disease.
Professional Dental Cleaning: For cleaning you can choose scaling or root planing procedure. The procedure is non-surgical and can be conducted in multiple sessions. It involves removing plaque as well as tartar from your teeth and also smoothing the surface of your teeth.
Surgical Procedures: The non-surgical procedure is for moderate stages, so there’s a benefit if you notice symptoms early. However, for more severe cases, you will be advised for surgical procedures.
- Bone Grafting: Involves replacing the root bone infected due to periodontal gum diseases. The procedure leverages your body’s natural ability to regenerate bones using a grafting material.
- Soft tissue Grafting: The dentist will lift the gum to clean the tartar and plaque accumulated in your tooth roots.
- Gingival Flap Surgery: Here the dentist will treat the pulled-back gum tissues that make your teeth appear longer. A small tissue is used from another part of your mouth to attach it to the area till it fully heals.
Don’t Ignore Gum Diseases: Seek Treatment Today!
If periodontal gum diseases are left untreated they can lead to extreme stages such as tooth loss. The disease is a progressive condition and when you experience any symptoms it is advised to seek medical attention immediately. Apart from maintaining the overall oral health treatment of periodontal disease also ensures the following benefits.
- Prevent tooth loss and maintain gum functionality.
- Prevents tooth sensitivity and alleviates discomfort.
- Lower the risk of strokes, heart diseases, and diabetes complications.
- Allows you to maintain a natural smile by hindering gum recessions.
- Improves quality of life as you can speak and chew freely.
Conclusion Visit Access Dental Clinic Today.
If you are experiencing symptoms of periodontal gum disease or if you are unsure and want an expert opinion, Visit us today. We are your reliable and expert dentist in Kelowna when it comes to treating periodontal gum diseases. Our dental clinic is easily accessible and has a guiding and family-friendly environment. We understand your oral health problems and advise accordingly. Access Dental Clinic aims to provide the best oral care for your amazing and healthy smile.