Gum disease or Gingivitis....?

Now, there are a few terms which individuals have to be familiar with to understand the basics of gum disease. Firstly, the scientific term for gum disease is "Periodontitis" whereas "Gingivitis" is the term given to gum inflammation. Periodontitis is preventable so this week Universal Medicine will be revealing the causes of gum disease as well as symptoms, treatments and possible prevention.

The first stage of periodontitis is gingivitis- this is when the gums become red, swollen and start to feel tender. This stage is significant in the long term as the damage could potentially be reversed. The direct cause of Gingivitis is through the formation of plaque which is due to the lack of brushing and flossing. Furthermore, plaque is actually a thin layer of bacteria which constantly forms on the surface of the teeth which can eventually harden and cause an infection. Also, the plaque produces an acid which can damage the surface of the tooth. The gums attaching to the teeth create a small gap known as the sulcus- here the food can get trapped so a lack of brushing/flossing will cause the food to potentially irritate the gums. If no further action is taken with Gingivitis then it could cause the gums to separate from the teeth.

As stated, the early symptom of gum disease is gingivitis so the gums become swollen and feel tender. Also, other early signs could be gum bleeding, sensitive teeth or pain when chewing. In later stages, symptoms like the formation of gum abscesses around the teeth.

Periodontitis is preventable hence we will go through some simple but long term method in preventing it. Of course, the main prevention of gum disease is through good oral hygiene. By this, the oral hygiene needs to be maintained so a consistent routine in brushing needs to be kept. In addition, by flossing regularly it means more trapped food can be removed hence less plaque can form. Although it does not make much difference, flossing before brushing seems to be common. Next, using a toothpaste with a suitable amount of fluoride can help in the prevention of tooth decay. Another simple routine is using antiseptic mouthwash as they can control the formation of plaque however it is recommended to ask your dentist for advice on the type of mouthwash that needs to be used if necessary.

A possible clinical treatment for gum disease is the polishing treatment. This treatment is carried out in a dental surgery and involves the use of various dental instruments to clean the teeth and attempt to remove the plaque. As discussed in a previous Universal Medicine article, the price of the treatment can vary depending on how much needs to be completed however this treatment typically falls into either band 1 or band 2.

Thank you for reading this week's blog and please do get your comments in about this article or any previous one's we have posted. Until then, have a great week.

Written by Adil Rahman

http://www.colgate.com/en/us/oc/oral-health/conditions/gum-disease/article/what-is-periodontal-disease
http://www.healthline.com/health/gingivitis#Treatment6
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Gum-disease/Pages/Treatment.aspx

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