Is it a Gum Disease or Gingivitis?
Oral diseases pose a major health burden for many countries and affect people throughout their lifetime with pain, discomfort, and even death. It is estimated that oral disease affects 3.5 billion people worldwide. Oral health is crucial to overall health, and may manifest as a sign of further complications if oral care is neglected. Among the most confusing oral health conditions are Gum Disease and Gingivitis.
As patients and readers, this post will simplify and explain the differences between these easily confused oral diseases as well as explain each one in depth.
Gum disease is one of the most common dental problems adults face but may begin at any age. It develops slowly without causing any pain, and patients may not notice any signs until disease prognosis has worsened and until they stand at risk of losing teeth. The good news is that gum disease can be prevented and turned around in its early stages.
If you are wondering how gum disease occurs, it affects the attachment between the gums and teeth. When plaque builds up it contains bacteria, and if it is not removed with thorough brushing and flossing, it may transform into tartar. Tartar cannot be removed with brushing and flossing alone, and if a patient does not visit a dentist, they are putting themselves at risk of an infection.
Warning Signs:
- Bad breath or bad taste that won’t go away
- Red or swollen gums
- Tender or bleeding gums
- Painful chewing
- Loose teeth
- Sensitive teeth
- Gums that have pulled away from your teeth
- Any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
- Any change in the fit of partial dentures
Risk Factors:
- Smoking or Diabetes
- Poor oral hygiene
- Stress
- Heredity
- Crooked teeth
- Underlying immune-deficiencies (HIV/AIDS)
- Medications that cause Xerostomia (dry mouth)
- Female hormonal changes, such as with pregnancy or the use of oral contraceptives
In the early stages however, gum disease is known as gingivitis which is the inflammation of the gums. They appear red and bleed upon brushing. Over time, an infection causes the bone that holds the teeth in place to break down, putting them at risk of falling out. In order to prevent gum disease, it is vital that all patients brush their teeth twice daily, floss at least once and that visits to the dentist’s office are made occasionally.
If gum disease is more severe, the dentist may refer you to a periodontist who will treat gum disease by restoring or regenerating bone that has been lost.
In order to prevent gum disease and gingivitis, make sure the following are respected and adhered to:
- Check your gums regularly for warning signs of gingivitis and report them to your dentist right away.
- Visit your dentist for regular dental exams, and schedule a professional cleaning to remove stains and tartar.
- Eat healthy foods and promote a well-balanced diet low in free sugars and high in fruit and vegetables.
- Don’t smoke as it is a major contributor to dental problems
Lastly, trust your dentists as they possess the training, clinical skill and knowledge to diagnose oral health conditions. Our aim is to eliminate oral health disparities that unfortunately exist in countries of the Global South due to racial, ethinic and socioeconomic status. In order to eradicate the oral health problems a majority of the world’s population faces, it is time to educate those around you to take care of their oral hygiene so that their smiles are brighter than before.
References
https://www.cda-adc.ca/en/oral_health/talk/complications/diseases/gingivitis.asp
