There are a lot of myths about gum disease that we hopefully would correct with this article. Asides from that, you would find out the details of the cost of treating gum disease in Nigeria. Everything about gum disease and of course, ways you can prevent gum disease. Kindly read on…

What Is Gum Disease?

Gum disease (periodontal disease) affects the gums and their surrounding tissues. It often occurs when a particular area in the mouth is infected or irritated. It is more common in adults than in children, in its early stage. You can take over gum disease by obeying certain principles of keeping your oral hygiene intact. If not controlled in the early stage, it could result in tooth loss, weak gums, and sometimes an ulcer. To be safe, it is important to be on the watch with any sign or symptom of gum disease and reach out to the dentist as soon as possible.

Gum Disease Symptoms

The early stage of gum disease is known as gingivitis. This simply means the gum has an inflammation. When this stage advances, it moves into periodontitis which simply means the inflammation of the gum has expanded to the gum ligament as well as its surrounding arrears.

Interestingly, the symptoms of gum diseases come simply at the early stage. However, when they are overlooked, they advance and worsen.

Gingivitis Symptoms

Swelling, redness, sensitivity, and soreness are the early symptoms of gum diseases. In most cases, you will notice bleeding while brushing and flossing. Your gums may also feel sore if you chew something overly tough or crunchy. Many patients with gingivitis have bad breath that does not go away with brushing, flossing, and the use of mouthwash.

Periodontitis Symptoms

When gum disease advances, you would begin to notice periodontal pockets between your teeth and gums. This space would sometimes look like diastema. Your teeth may begin to feel loose and look like they are falling off. Moreso, your teeth may become sensitive to heat and cold. This is because the nerves in the tooth roots are closer to the surface, and when they are exposed by receding gums, they react strongly to stimuli.

Gum Disease Causes

It is important to note that bacteria live in the mouth and are quite beneficial to activities that take place in the mouth. However, in cases where gum disease plays a part, we begin with these bacteria acting on the infected spot. The bacteria that cause gingivitis are Treponema denticola and Porphyromonas gingivalis..

If you practice your oral hygiene diligently then you would be able to remove these bacterias from your gum. However, when you grow lax with your dental hygiene, these bacteria proliferate, infecting your gum tissue and leading to the symptoms of gum disease. Once the bacteria work their way between your gums and your teeth, they become harder to remove.

Anyone can develop gum disease. It is seen in young children, teens, young adults, and older adults alike. However, some people are at an increased risk of gum diseases compared to others. Here are some of the most common risk factors for gum disease.

Smoking: Smoking dries out the mouth, which allows oral bacteria to proliferate, increasing the risk of gum disease.
Certain Medications: Antidepressants, steroids, and pain relievers sometimes reduce saliva production, which increases the risk of gum disease.
Diabetes: This disease decreases the body’s ability to fight off infections such as gum disease.
Hormonal Changes: Women are more likely to develop gum disease after menopause.
Advanced Age: Gum disease becomes more common as you age. This may be tied to an increased risk of dry mouth as you age, hormonal changes, or a lack of proper oral hygiene.