Get to the bottom of gum disease

Many people in America suffer from gum disease and don’t even know it. Also referred to as periodontal disease, it is an infection of mouth tissues that serve as a support for your teeth. It is often painless, and it’s caused by the buildup of plaque in your mouth, becoming increasingly worse if not treated correctly. People who don’t thoroughly brush and floss their teeth regularly run a higher risk of getting this pesky illness.

You may be suffering from gum disease if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms: sensitive gums that tend to bleed easily, persistent bad breath and separation of teeth from the gums. There are several types of the disease that range in severity.

Gingivitis
This is the mildest form of periodontal disease, and it causes the gums to become swollen, red and easily bleed. Since this is the mildest form, it can be treated or reversed pretty easily with simple care. With good oral health care, sufferers can typically kick this issue, although professional help can speed up the process.

Aggressive periodontitis
This type of gum disease typically appears in people under the age of 35, and they tend to be otherwise healthy. Aggressive periodontitis is characterized by the rapid loss of attachment of the gums to the teeth, bone destruction and familial aggregation - the occurrence of the disorder in close relatives.

Chronic periodontitis
This form of gum disease occurs most frequently. You can tell if you are suffering from chronic periodontitis if your gums are inflamed, pockets form or the gums begin to recede. This form slowly progresses over time - but there is a chance of rapid bursts of progression - so keeping up with brushing and flossing is especially important.

Preventing gum disease starts with a healthy mouth and eating a balanced diet. When brushing your teeth, make sure that you get all sides of the teeth and the tongue. To get a better clean, an electric toothbrush can be very helpful. These toothbrushes are much better at getting the plaque off your teeth than traditional brushes. If you aren’t sure if you are doing a good job at brushing your teeth, you can purchase disclosing tablets - chewable tablets that color any plaque that remains on your teeth after brushing. Trying this every once in awhile will also help reduce bad breath and other oral health issues.