What Causes Gum Disease

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When talking about oral health, it is important to know how to prevent gum disease. Gum disease can actually be a serious health risk for the body. Proper dental hygiene is important for overall health and not just for a clean mouth. There are many different things that causes gum disease, but with proper dental habits it is not likely that you will ever get it, and in the event that you do, then there are many different treatments available.

Gum disease is a condition that causes inflamed gums, rotting them slowly away, and, if left untreated, then it can destroy the whole structure of the mouth and jaw. Gingivitis is actually a gum infection. Early stages will appear as swollen, red, sensitive teeth and gums, and it can progress rapidly from there. Once gum disease is contracted, it can become a chronic problem for some people. In later stages of gum disease, a puss-like discharge can appear on the gums. The causes of gum disease can vary. The number one cause is poor dental hygiene. What happens in this case is that plaque builds up from infrequent brushing, and in time, turns into tartar. The tartar is an irritant to the gums, which then causes the swelling and irritation. Smokers are at least twice as likely to get some kind of gum disease. Teenagers, pregnant women and women in menopause are at a higher risk as well. There are many other conditions that can contribute to gum disease, such as high exposure to metals, radiation, poorly fitted fillings, and others.

There are a lot of treatments for gum disease. The treatment method usually depends on what causes gum disease in the first place. Many vitamins are used in treating gum disease, such as vitamin E, vitamin A, copper, folic acid and zinc. These keep the mouth and gum line in good health. Some doctors recommend drinking a glass of warm lemon water every day to avoid gum disease. Liver cleanses are also done. There are many different herbal treatments for gingivitis, such as placing aloe vera on the swollen gums, or brushing with baking soda. Your dentist might advise you to rinse your mouth out with salt water to clear the infection. There are also anesthetic ointments that are used to help sooth the gums. In the worst case scenario, gum surgery must be done to fully erase the damaged gums.

No one really wants to get gum disease. It is actually pretty easy to prevent through regular brushing and flossing. This will ensure that you have healthy gums and teeth. Smokers have to be extra careful about preventing gum disease because they are at a higher risk. What causes gum disease can be anything from lack of brushing to an infection caught somewhere. Even so, there are a lot of treatments for gum disease, so there is no real reason to worry.