Diseases of the Gums

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By Grace Covelli
eHow Contributing Writer

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Another name for gum disease is periodontal disease. When gum disease first develops, it may not seem to be such a serious matter, but if left untreated gum disease can result in the loss of teeth. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research/ National Institute of Health, approximately 80 percent of the United States adult population has gum disease.

Types of Gum Disease

Gum disease can start off as gingivitis and progress to periodontitis. The gums become inflamed when gingivitis is present, but when someone has periodontitis, infection has set in.

Gum Disease Signs

Gum disease can announce its arrival in the form of halitosis. Other indications of gum disease include gums that are irritated and/or bleed, pain when chewing and/or separation of gums from the teeth.

Vulnerability

Certain factors make one vulnerable to gum disease. Those factors include tobacco use, hormone levels, high blood sugar, tension, drugs, family history of gum disease, neglect of teeth and gums and oral problems.

Preventive Measures

Use floss daily, brush teeth after meals and don't smoke. Have your teeth checked by a dentist every year, have them cleaned and have any symptoms of gum disease checked out.

Gum Disease Treatment

Scaling, root planing, medication and/or surgery are used to treat gum disease. Scaling gets rid of plaque and root planing assists in eliminating bacteria from the root of the tooth.

Checking for Gum Disease

Upon examination, a dentist will make an assessment, perform an examination of your mouth with or without X-rays, and he will measure the space between the teeth and the gums.