Gum disease is a common oral health condition that affects the tissues surrounding and supporting your teeth. It usually begins with plaque buildup along the gum line and can range from mild gum inflammation to more advanced periodontal disease.

Recognizing the early signs of gum disease and maintaining regular dental care can help protect your gums, teeth, and overall oral health.

What Is Gum Disease?

Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is an infection or inflammation affecting the tissues that support your teeth. It develops when bacteria in plaque accumulate around the teeth and gums.

Without proper care, gum inflammation can progress and eventually damage the tissues and bone that hold your teeth in place.

What Causes Gum Disease?

The primary cause of gum disease is plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that continuously forms on your teeth. When plaque is not removed through regular brushing and cleaning between the teeth, it can irritate the gums.

Over time, plaque can harden into tartar, which cannot be removed effectively with regular brushing and requires professional cleaning.

• Inadequate oral hygiene
• Plaque and tartar buildup
• Smoking or tobacco use
• Diabetes and certain health conditions
• Hormonal changes
• Certain medications
• Genetic factors
• Stress and other lifestyle factors

Stages of Gum Disease

Gum disease can develop gradually. Early treatment is generally easier and can help prevent the condition from becoming more advanced.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease. The gums may become red, swollen, or tender and may bleed during brushing or flossing.

At this stage, the condition has not yet caused the bone loss associated with advanced periodontal disease. With appropriate professional care and improved oral hygiene, gingivitis can often be managed and reversed.

Periodontitis

When gum inflammation is not treated, it can progress to periodontitis. The tissues supporting the teeth can begin to break down, creating spaces called periodontal pockets around the teeth.

As the condition advances, bone and supporting tissues may be lost. This can eventually cause teeth to become loose or, in severe cases, result in tooth loss.

Signs & Symptoms of Gum Disease

Gum disease does not always cause noticeable discomfort, particularly during its early stages. This makes regular dental examinations important.

• Red or swollen gums
• Gums that bleed when brushing or flossing
• Tender or sensitive gums
• Persistent bad breath
• Gums pulling away from the teeth
• Teeth appearing longer because of gum recession
• Changes in the way your teeth fit together
• Loose or shifting teeth
• Changes in the fit of partial dentures

Bleeding Gums

Healthy gums generally should not bleed regularly when you brush or clean between your teeth.

Bleeding may be a sign of inflammation caused by plaque buildup. If your gums bleed frequently, it is important not to simply avoid cleaning the area. Instead, have your gums evaluated by a dental professional.

Gum Recession

Gum disease can cause the gums to pull away from the teeth, exposing more of the tooth surface and sometimes the tooth root.

Receding gums can make teeth appear longer and may increase sensitivity. Gum recession can have several causes, so an examination is important to determine what is contributing to the problem.

Gum Disease & Tooth Loss

Advanced periodontal disease can damage the bone and tissues that support your teeth. As these supporting structures become weaker, teeth may become loose and eventually require removal.

Preventing and treating gum disease early can help protect the structures that support your natural teeth.

How Is Gum Disease Diagnosed?

During a dental examination, your dentist or hygienist will evaluate the health of your gums and the tissues surrounding your teeth.

This may include checking for:

• Gum inflammation
• Bleeding
• Periodontal pockets
• Gum recession
• Tooth mobility
• Plaque and tartar buildup
• Changes in the supporting bone

Dental X-rays may also be used when appropriate to evaluate the bone supporting your teeth.

How Is Gum Disease Treated?

Treatment depends on the type and severity of gum disease. The goal is to control the infection, remove harmful buildup, improve gum health, and protect the supporting structures around your teeth.

Early gum disease may respond well to professional cleaning and improved daily oral hygiene. More advanced periodontal disease may require additional non-surgical or surgical periodontal treatment.

Professional Dental Cleanings

Professional dental cleanings help remove plaque and tartar that cannot be effectively removed through brushing and flossing alone.

Regular cleanings are an important part of preventing gum disease and maintaining healthy gums.

Scaling & Root Planing

For patients with periodontal disease, a deeper cleaning known as scaling and root planing may be recommended. This treatment removes plaque and tartar from below the gum line and smooths the root surfaces to help the gums heal.

The number and frequency of treatments depend on the condition of your gums and your individual needs.

Preventing Gum Disease

Good daily oral hygiene is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of gum disease.

• Brush your teeth twice a day.
• Clean between your teeth every day.
• Use fluoride toothpaste.
• Maintain regular dental examinations.
• Have professional cleanings as recommended.
• Avoid smoking and tobacco products.
• Maintain a balanced diet.
• Tell your dental team about changes in your oral health.

Gum Disease & Overall Health

Your oral health is connected to your overall health. Research has found associations between periodontal disease and several systemic health conditions.

Maintaining healthy gums is therefore an important part of taking care of your overall health, particularly if you have other health conditions that may affect your oral health.

When Should You See a Dentist?

You should have your gums evaluated if you notice persistent bleeding, swelling, redness, tenderness, recession, bad breath, or changes in the way your teeth feel.

Gum disease can progress without causing significant pain, so regular dental examinations are important even when your mouth feels healthy.

Protect Your Gums & Your Smile

Gum disease is common, but it can often be prevented or managed with good oral hygiene and appropriate professional care.

If you are concerned about bleeding gums, gum recession, bad breath, loose teeth, or other changes in your gums, the team at Scarborough Village Dental Care can evaluate your periodontal health and recommend an appropriate treatment and prevention plan.