Basics of Gingivitis and periodontitis
Healthy teeth and gums look beautiful and are vital for the overall well being of a person. Healthy gums are pink in color. Healthy gums do not bleed easily. The healthier gums are characterized by thin line firmly covering the respective tooth. The gum problems are divided into two stages. They are the gingivitis and the periodontitis.
Gingivitis is identified by gum inflammation. Bleeding may occur during the time of brushing and it will be painless. The line of the gums is visibly red. The disease may develop inside the gums if proper brushing is not practiced. The gums become swollen. Gingivitis is also responsible for causing bad breath. The gums are soft and will bleed at the lightest touch. The bleeding may also occur on its own spontaneously. The condition is painless even at the later stage. In extreme cases it can cause the loss of teeth.
If gingivitis is left untreated the disease may develop in to an even serious condition. The disease then spreads to the surrounding bone. This will cause inflammation around the tooth. The gums are pulled further away from the tooth which forms spaces, and these spaces become inflected. The immune system of the body fights the bacteria. In the meanwhile the plague spreads and develops below the gum line. The effect of the infections caused by the bacteria, and the body's response to these infections effect the bone. The person will feel increased sensitivity for hot or cool food or drinks. The connective tissues that fix the teeth in place are also affected. If the condition is left untreated the gums, tissues and the connective tissues are destroyed. After this the teeth may also become loose and can even fall off. This disease is responsible for majority of the teeth loss in people.
Smoking, hormonal change in girls or women, few medications diseases like cancer, AIDS, and diabetes can cause gum problems. Some people may also have unhealthy gums due to genetic susceptibility.
Healthier gums can be achieved by brushing teeth twice every day. Proper and regular dental check up after every six months is mandatory for strong gums.
