Gum disease types & Symptoms

Gums’ health is equally important for overall health and well-being – in addition to your oral and dental health. Many people pay attention to preventing teeth problems, but don’t do much to prevent gum diseases. The health of your gums is very important for your oral and dental health.

The following are the 5 most common types of gum problems:

Gingivitis: This is an inflammatory condition of the gums wherein gums become red and swollen and bleed during brushing.

Periodontal gum disease: This is the more severe form of gum disease. It affects a majority of adults in India and across the world. Untreated gingivitis may lead to a progressive form of periodontitis – which is associated with painful, loose, swollen, and red gums that produce painful symptoms, gums recession, jawbone loss, and tooth loss.

Gum recession: A more severe form of periodontitis can cause gum recession. In this condition, the cementum (the root) of the tooth gets exposed and the gum pulls away from its position. It becomes severe as the jawbone surrounding the teeth is lost.

Gum Abscess: A blister or bump in the gum with pus is also known as a periodontal abscess. Bacterial infection occurs deep in the gum pocket and causes pain and swelling.

Oral cancer: It is a rare and less common gum problem. On the gums, it appears like a white or red patch or a sore that doesn’t heal.

What happens if you don’t take care of your healthy gums?

Bacteria in the gum line produce toxins. Bacterial plaque can further deteriorate gums and cause damage to teeth. Untreated gum disease can become severe and leads to jawbone deterioration, further infection, dry mouth, and tooth decay. Bacteria from the plague can enter the bloodstream and travel to the heart and cause heart disease. Therefore, healthy gums ensure healthy teeth and the overall health and well-being of an individual.

How Long Does It Take to Get Rid of Gingivitis?

It is possible to reverse gingivitis as early as possible during the early stage itself. The best way is to identify the symptoms such as red gums and swelling and then persistently improve oral hygiene. The next step is to seek prompt treatment as soon as possible.

Bacteria grow and multiply making the symptoms severe and causing irreversible changes in the gum line and jawbone. Once periodontal disease sets in, teeth lose gum attachment and bone loss occurs. It is very important to identify and treat gingivitis as early as possible.

Gum Disease

Oral bacteria present in your mouth form colonies and growth that harden to form tartar and plaque on the teeth near the gumline. This may cause inflammation in the gums – owing to which gums become red, swollen, and start to bleed. This inflammatory condition is known as gingivitis. Though it is not painful, it can become severe over time.

You can prevent bacterial infection and gingivitis if you catch it early. The best way to reverse gingivitis is through proper oral hygiene – proper brushing, rinsing, and flossing. If gingivitis is left untreated, it may lead to worsening symptoms, bleeding, and tooth loss.

In most cases, untreated or unaddressed gingivitis leads to the more severe form of gum disease (periodontitis). This condition is mostly associated with worsening symptoms, bleeding gums, and tooth loss.

Bottom Line

Do you know the best way to prevent gum disease is through personal and oral hygiene? If you cannot clean your teeth properly, the best bet would be to get professional dental cleaning done at least once a year. Then after, thorough brushing and flossing can help prevent gum disease for a lifetime.