What Causes Gum Disease? J Dent Res. Gum Disease.

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How Diabetes Effects your ORAL HEALTH - @besugarfit Visease diseasealso known as Energy-boosting smoothie recipes diseasedisese a diwease Gum disease inflammatory Gum disease affecting the Gum disease surrounding the teeth. Periodontal disease diswase generally due to bacteria in the mouth infecting the tissue around the teeth. Treatment involves good oral hygiene and regular professional teeth cleaning. In the early stages, periodontitis has very few symptoms, and in many individuals the disease has progressed significantly before they seek treatment. Gingival inflammation and bone destruction are largely painless.

Gum disease -

Dental plaque that is not removed every day can harden and form tartar, and tartar build-up can lead to gum disease. Only a professional cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist can remove tartar. There are several risk factors for gum disease, but smoking is the most significant.

Smoking also can make treatment for gum disease less successful. Other risk factors include hormonal changes in girls and women; certain illnesses, such as diabetes or AIDS and their medications; and genetics. At a dental visit, a dentist or dental hygienist will perform tests to diagnose periodontal disease:.

Your dental professional may also refer you to a periodontist, a specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of gum disease, who may provide other treatment options not provided by your dentist.

The main goal of treatment is to control the infection. The number and types of treatments will vary, depending on the extent of the gum disease. Any type of treatment requires that the patient keep up good daily care at home.

The dentist may also suggest changing certain behaviors, such as quitting smoking, as a way to improve your treatment results. Site Search Search. Home Health Info. On this page Overview.

Additional Resources. Related Publications. Ask the Expert Timothy J. Affected Area Symptoms Gums Gums may be red, swollen, tender, or bleeding.

The gums may pull away from the teeth making them appear longer. Teeth Loose or sensitive teeth. Pain while chewing. Other Persistent bad breath. In a healthy mouth, the pockets around the teeth are usually between 1 and 3 millimeters.

Deeper pockets can be a sign of periodontal disease. Medical History Survey The dentist will ask questions about your medical history. Certain conditions or risk factors, like smoking or diabetes, can contribute to gum disease.

X-Ray X-ray images of the teeth and mouth are taken. An x-ray can show if there is any bone loss as a result of gum disease. NIDCR Director Dr. Cover image. Gingivitis is usually caused by an overgrowth of dental plaque. In addition to improper dental hygiene, there can be many contributing factors, such as:.

There are some types of gingivitis-causing gum infections that are not related to plaque overgrowth. These include:. Your gums actually attach to the teeth at a lower point than the gum edges we see.

This forms a small space called a sulcus. Food and plaque can get trapped in this space and cause a gum infection or gingivitis. Plaque is a thin film of bacteria. It constantly forms on the surface of your teeth. As plaque advances, it hardens and becomes tartar. You can develop a gum infection when plaque extends below the gum line.

However, the following can be symptoms of gum disease:. Contact a dentist if you have any symptoms of gum disease. Early signs are usually gums that are red, swollen, and bleeding easily. If you need help finding a dentist, then check out our FindCare tool here. Speak with your dentist about risk factors for gum disease, as well as your symptoms.

This can help diagnose gingivitis. If gingivitis is present, you may be referred to a periodontist. A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the treatment of gum diseases.

You must practice good oral hygiene to treat gingivitis. You should also cut back on any smoking if you smoke and manage your diabetes if you live with this condition. Quitting smoking may be difficult, but a doctor can help build a cessation plan that works for you.

There are several techniques that can be used to deep clean your teeth without surgery. They all remove plaque and tartar to prevent gum irritation:. Types of gum surgery, which is performed by a periodontist, include:.

Eating a balanced diet is also important to achieving and maintaining dental health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC and the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research report that periodontal disease is associated with an increased risk for:.

More research is needed to determine the specifics of this association. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. VIEW ALL HISTORY.

Are your gums inflamed? You may be dealing with the bacterial infection gingivitis. Here are 10 home remedies you can use to clear up your symptoms. Using dip increases your risk of developing gum disease, tooth loss, and receding gums.

It also raises your risk of developing oral, esophageal, and…. Trench mouth is a severe gum infection caused by a buildup of bacteria in the mouth. The following home remedies might help prevent cavities or treat "pre-cavities" by remineralizing weakened areas of your enamel before a cavity….

Achieving healthy teeth takes a lifetime of care. We all have plaque on our teeth. It's a group of bacteria that lives in your mouth and forms between brushings.

Skip directly to site GGum Skip directly to search. Español Other Languages. Gum Boosted mental performance. Minus Disfase Pages. Gum periodontal disease is an inflammatory disease that affects the hard and soft structures that support the teeth. More severe forms can also be treated successfully with consultation and treatment.