Periodontitis, or gum disease, is a common dental ailment. No matter what kind of gum disease you experience, you may notice some of the common symptoms. They include:
Types of Periodontitis
There are several types of periodontitis you might be dealing with.
Aggressive periodontitis is a form of gum disease that afflicts those who are otherwise healthy. Unfortunately, this form of gum disease can lead to tooth loss and destruction of the bones in the jaw.
Then, there's chronic periodontitis, which is the inflammation of the tissues that support the teeth. This can lead to bone loss as well, and it is the most common form of gum disease.
Sometimes gum disease is related to another serious health issue, like heart disease or diabetes. It may be a symptom of something else happening, including malnutrition.
Causes of Periodontitis
There are several causes of gum disease.
Plaque forming on the teeth is one major cause of gum disease. This happens when starch and sugar interact with bacteria in your mouth and you do not brush and floss your teeth regularly. Plaque can form on your teeth very quickly.
Plaque is especially dangerous when it forms near the gumline. At this point, it can turn into tartar, which is way more difficult to remove than plaque. The bacteria inside the tartar can damage your teeth and gums significantly. This inflames the gums and lead to a lot of pain.
Other Contributing Factors
So, what can lead to the development of plaque and tartar?
Changes in hormones: Women who are pregnant, going through menopause, or who are menstruating may experience changes to their gum health.
Changes in health: Illnesses can impact your gums significantly, too. Conditions like HIV and cancer that take a significant toll on your immune system could put you at very high risk.
Lack of saliva: Some medications reduce the saliva you produce, which is bad for your teeth. Saliva is useful for washing away plaque.
Smoking: Smoking hurts the immune system, which means that any infection in your gums will heal much more slowly than it should.
Talk to a Dentist Today
A periodontist like Bradley Piotrowski, DDS, MSD, LLC can help you avoid gum disease as much as possible. Make an appointment today to discuss gum disease and preventative measures you can take.