A Quick Look at Gum Disease

Gum disease, also called gingivitis, is one of the most common dental diseases. It occurs when someone fails to brush and floss regularly. But while most people know of gingivitis, many don’t understand exactly what it is or what it causes. Let’s take a quick look at what gum disease is so you know if you need to make an appointment with a dentist in Bloomer.

What Causes Gum Disease?

Gum disease occurs when the gums are inflamed. That happens when you have plaque that sticks to your teeth. If you don’t remove that plaque in a timely manner, it turns into tartar, a hard surface that requires a dental cleaning to get rid of. The bacteria in both the plaque and the tartar can start irritating your gums. That’s when gum disease begins. If it’s not taken care of, gum disease will sink into the bone under the teeth, leading to periodontitis.

What Are the Signs of Gum Disease?

There are a number of common signs of gum disease:

• Swollen gums that bleed when you brush.
• Red, tender gums.
• Bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth.
• White spots on your gums.
• Pus in between your teeth or gums.
• Gums that have pulled away from your teeth.
• Your teeth don’t fit together like they once did.

If you notice several of these signs, it’s time to visit our family dental in Bloomer to have a dental exam. The earlier gingivitis is caught, the better. You don’t want it to turn into periodontitis.

What Can You Do?

The best way of preventing gum disease is to practice good dental hygiene. Brush your teeth and floss regularly. If you do this and still notice the signs of gum disease, it can be an indication that something else is wrong. Smoking, diabetes, some medications, and even pregnancy can cause gum disease. Make an appointment with our expert dentist in Cadott soon so we can help you get to the root of the problem.