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Types of Gum Disease
Filed Under (Health, blog, dental care) by admin on 06-03-2011
Gum disease is a hazard affecting the adult population of many countries, including Canada and the United States. Yet, gum disease is not a single type of dental problem. In fact, gum disease, known by dental professionals and researchers as periodontal (gum) disease, consists of 2 basic related types. Each comprises a stage. The risk factors for gum disease, both types, are typically the same.
Gingivitis
Periodontal disease in its mild stage is called gingivitis. This is the initial phase. You might experience sore gums and your teeth may bleed when you brush them. As the disease progresses, you might notice the gums become increasingly discolored. They are no longer a healthy pink but appear to be a shade of red. The gums actually begin to swell. Your breath becomes bad – the classic trench mouth, and you constantly gargle or chew on mints in a hopeless attempt to sweeten your breath and get rid of the bad taste.
If you make an appointment with a dentist, he or she will be able to treat your gingivitis. It will involve tests to prove it is this form of periodontal disease. Treatment will also require undergoing the removal of plaque. Nevertheless, your dentist can reverse the onset of this type of gum disease.
Periodontitis
At this stage of periodontal (gum) disease, the plaque build-up in your mouth has increased, spreading below the gum line causing obvious problems. Inflammation and infection occur as the toxins stimulate the response to bacterial invasion. The tissue and bones up until now have been supporting your teeth. Under this toxic attack, they break down. Your teeth become loose and even fall out.
Periodontitis can be aggressive, featuring rapid loss of the attachment of teeth and tissue. Chronic periodontitis is the most common form. This is the typical slow progression involving symptoms moving from the sore gums and casual bleeding of gingivitis, to the eventual destruction through detachment of tissues and teeth.
Yet, in all instances, periodontitis is a severe form of periodontal disease. It is not reversible if it reaches the point of tooth loss. You will probably need to take antibiotics to combat any infection and to reduce and stop the inflammation. The dentist may also send you to a specialist in this problem – a periodontist. He or she will want to perform surgery as one of the necessary remedies.
Conclusion
Gingivitis and periodontitis are not a requirement aging. If you do not like the idea of surgery or do not want to spend time locating alternative or natural cures, there is a simple remedy. Every day of your life, follow a simple oral hygiene procedure. Brush with a recommended toothpaste such as OraMD, use a non-alcoholic based mouthwash, and floss.

