When dental plaque is not removed from the teeth, the bacteria in the plaque irritate the gums, causing inflammation. This is known as gingivitis.
Gingivitis is the most common form of gum disease. Over 90% of people have gingivitis somewhere in their mouth.
The symptoms of gingivitis include red, swollen gums that often bleed when tooth-brushing.
Thorough cleaning of the teeth to remove dental plaque will prevent gingivitis.
In some people, the inflammation caused by the plaque bacteria causes infection and destruction of the tissues and bone that surround and support the teeth. This condition is called periodontitis.
Only around 10% of people suffer from this advanced form of gum disease, yet periodontitis is the major cause of adult tooth loss. Family history, diabetes and smoking are the main contributing factors for periodontitis.
In the early stages, periodontitis appears the same as gingivitis. However, as the disease progresses, the gums may receed (shrink) and the teeth can become loose and even fall out.
The gums often bleed and pus may even ooze from around the teeth. This infection causes very bad breath.
Thorough tooth cleaning and removal of dental plaque helps prevent and manage periodontitis by removing the bacteria that cause the infection.
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"What causes gum disease?" was posted on Sunday, May 18th, 2008 at 12:21 pm.