Did you know that seven out of ten Canadians will suffer from gum disease at some point in their lives? Gum disease is often a silent menace and can progress painlessly before turning into a serious problem. When it comes to oral health, gum care is essential.
In this post, Agape Dental Clinic would like to bring to focus the importance of caring for your gum health as an integral part of promoting good oral health and hygiene. Gums (or periodontium) are the pink tissue surrounding and supporting your teeth. The health of your gums directly impacts the strength and stability of your teeth and how well they function. Healthy gum tissue should be pink in color, firm, and fit snugly around each tooth. If you notice discoloration, tenderness, bleeding while brushing or flossing, chronic bad breath or any signs of your gums pulling away from your teeth you may have gum disease.
Maintaining Periodontal Health and Wellness
There are a few ways your gums can appear when you undergo a dental check-up or exam:
- Healthy (pink and firm)
- Gingivitis (gum disease)
- Periodontal disease (periodontitis)
At Agape Dental Clinic in Millwoods, it is our goal to help our patients maintain good oral health and one aspect of this is the state of their periodontium. Inflammation in your gums can indicate the presence of gum disease. Gingivitis and periodontal disease are the two most common oral health issues affecting the gums and bone supporting the teeth.
What is Gingivitis?
Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease. This occurs when plaque builds up on teeth and causes inflammation of the surrounding gum tissue. This harmful plaque can not only inflame the gums, causing them to appear red or puffy but can even lead to the development of tooth decay over time. It’s important to ensure that when you are brushing and flossing your teeth, your gum line is not neglected. If gingivitis is left untreated, it can lead to a more severe form of gum disease called periodontal disease.
Gingivitis is typically caused by poor oral hygiene and other factors such as:
- Smoking or chewing tobacco
- Hormonal changes
- Crooked or overlapping teeth (preventing flossing or brushing correctly)
- Stress
- Poor nutrition (high sugar in diet) • Lack of dental care
- Poor saliva production
What is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease is also caused by the bacteria existing in dental plaque that builds up on our teeth. To eliminate the threat of this plaque, our bodies create an inflammatory response and in some of us, this response can do more damage to tissue in the body than the bacteria itself. Periodontal disease can range from mild to severe cases. Those who suffer from severe periodontitis experience loosening of the teeth to the point of requiring tooth extraction(s). Unfortunately, if an individual develops periodontal disease it will remain with them for the remainder of their life. It requires lifelong monitoring and maintenance of the individual’s oral health. The good news? It can be managed successfully with good oral hygiene habits and regular visits to the dentist for dental cleanings and check-ups.
Why Dental Hygiene Appointments are Important
The ability to avoid gum disease is primarily in your hands as brushing and flossing twice daily as well as flossing once daily allows for the removal of most plaque existing on our teeth. Ensuring that this process is done correctly each day can minimize the risk of developing gingivitis and periodontal disease, however, this does not eliminate all the plaque on our teeth. Scheduling regular dental cleanings and check-ups at Agape Dental Clinic in Millwoods along with practicing good oral hygiene habits is the best defence against developing gum disease.
This Affects Your Overall Health Too!
Studies since the 1980s have determined that the presence of periodontal disease can lead to the development of other diseases such as heart disease, obesity, and diabetes.
If you have questions about gum disease or have found you are experiencing signs or symptoms of this oral health issue, contact our skilled and experienced team at Agape Dental Clinic in Millwoods to schedule a dental check-up today: 780-465-1211
