By EKalman April 28, 2023 - 12:17am

Gum soft tissues wrap the lower and upper jaws, protecting the teeth from infections. Long-term gum disease not only causes pain but can also result in tooth loss.

At first, the disease may not be too annoying, causing only little discomfort when brushing your teeth. Within a few days, you should check your gums to see whether you have any of the symptoms, like:
- Bleeding
- Bad breath
- Swelling or redness
- Gum recession
- Loose teeth or dentures

If you notice at least one symptom that bothers you for several days, you probably have gum disease. You should schedule an appointment with your family dentist for proper treatment as soon as possible.

Causes of gum disease
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (gastrointestinal tract)
- poor quality daily teeth brushing
- growth of teeth with violations of the integrity of the gum shell
- lowered immunity
- lack of vitamins and minerals
- smoking
- mechanical damage to the gums
- plaque or tartar

Only a dentist can determine the actual cause of gum disease during an examination.

Each tooth is housed in its own hole in the jaw bone, known as the alveolus, and is held in place by ligaments.

If the ligaments are not harmed during the inflammatory process, the disease is called gingivitis However, if they are affected or even destroyed, the condition is called periodontitis. Moreover, if a dystrophic process joins the inflammatory process, this is periodontal disease.

Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the most common type of gum disease. This gum infection does not involve the teeth' ligaments. You may feel gum discomfort, swelling, bleeding, and annoying pain.

The primary cause is plaque, which encourages bacterial development and the appearance of inflammation. The pain may not be severe, but the condition causes bad breath as well as the above-mentioned gum problems. If gingivitis is not treated, it may lead to periodontitis or much more severe disease.

Periodontitis
Periodontitis is a gum inflammation affecting teeth ligaments along with the jawbone tissue. The symptoms of the condition are similar to those of gingivitis: bleeding, gums swelling, redness, and sores. However, in addition to a soft plaque, tartar appears and continually injures the gums.

The gums sag and ulcers occur on the gums during a period of inflammation. The patient is in throbbing agony, and the tooth necks may be exposed, as well as periodontal pockets.

If the problem is ignored, it progresses to the next stage, causing bone tissue damage and tooth loss.

Periodontal disease
This gum disease is less common, and it is defined by receding gums and exposure of the tooth necks, a weak blood supply to the gums. As a result, gum atrophy may occur. Itching and increased sensitivity of the gums and teeth are also common symptoms. The exact cause of periodontal disease is unknown; however, it can be triggered by hormonal failure, excessive blood sugar, or biological vulnerability.

Recommendations for gum disease prevention:
- Visit your dentist regularly! Only a specialist can correctly diagnose the problem and prescribe the proper treatment.
- Healthy nutrition. Reduce the amount of sugary or soft foods that can stick to the tooth’s surface and cause plaque and tartar. Increase the amount of solid food to clean the teeth during chewing.
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day and rinse your mouth thoroughly.
- It is better to prevent the disease or detect it at an early stage than to treat it for an extended period of time, spending a lot of money.

Our gums serve as the foundation for our teeth, and they require special care. If your gums bleed, swell, or appear bright red when you brush and floss, it's time to schedule an appointment with your family dentist. They will check your gums and help you to keep them healthy.