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Gum Disease

    Gum Disease Editor's Picks

    • About Gum Disease

      Gum disease, also called periodontal disease or gingivitis, is one of the most common chronic diseases in the United States. The National Institutes of Health estimate that up to 80% of adults in the US have some level of gum disease. Gum disease is not just the number one cause of tooth loss but may also result in wide-spread... more »

    • Signs of Gum Disease

      Gum disease may not seem like a serious issue, but neglecting your gums can lead to serious conditions in the future, such as heart attack or stroke. According to the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP), gum disease should be detected and treated as soon as possible. There are many warning signs that may indicate you have gum... more »

    • Tooth Gum Disease

      Maintaining healthy gums is paramount to keeping your teeth healthy. The gums hold your teeth in your jaw so the tissue that connects to the teeth needs to be strong and healthy. When people don't brush or floss enough, tartar and plaque can build up the teeth and start to erode these tissues that connect to the teeth. When this... more »

    • How to Cure Gum Disease Naturally

      Gum disease is caused by poor oral hygiene and also becomes more common with age. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), more than 75 percent of people older than 35 have gum disease. In its earliest stages, gum disease causes your gums to feel sensitive and bleed. In later stages, the gums start to pull away from the... more »

    • Side Effects of Gum Disease

      Gum disease is not a condition that suddenly appears. It begins as gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums that may cause some tenderness and bleeding while brushing. If gingivitis is left untreated, it becomes a more severe condition known as gum disease more »

    Gum Disease Quick Guides

    • Gum Disease

      The two main types of gum disease, Gingivitis and Periodontitis, are caused by tooth decay from...

    • Periodontal Disease Guide

      Periodontal disease is an unfortunate predicament that can make life quite miserable...

    • Causes & Prevention of Periodontal Disease

      Periodontal disease can start from a simple gum inflammation but can lead to major damage of...

    • Teeth Cleaning

      Regular teeth cleaning is an important part of overall dental health to prevent problems such as...

    Gum Disease Articles

    • The Causes of Gum Disease

      Gum disease is an infection of the tissues that support the teeth. Also called periodontal disease, it can be prevented by practicing good oral... more »

    • What Causes Gum Disease?

      Gum disease is a potentially serious condition that, if it is not treated, can result in infection and the loss of teeth. Symptoms of gum disease,... more »

    • Gum Disease

      Periodontal, or gum, disease is caused by bacteria found in plaque. The sulcus (crevice between the teeth and gums) breaks down when periodontal... more »

    • How to Diagnose Gum Disease

      Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, affects your gums which are the tissues that support your teeth. If left untreated, gum disease can... more »

    • Early Signs of Gum Disease

      A condition called gingivitis is the first sign of gum disease. The good news is that it can easily be prevented, treated and reversed if caught... more »

    Wikipedia

    Periodontitis

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    Periodontitis (peri around, odont tooth, -itis inflammation) refers to a number of inflammatory diseases affecting the periodontium — that is, the tissues that surround and support the teeth. Periodontitis involves progressive loss of the alveolar bone around the teeth, and if left untreated, can lead to the loosening and subsequent loss of teeth. Periodontitis is caused by microorganism that adhere to and grow on the tooths surfaces, along with an overly aggressive immune response against these microorganism. A diagnosis of periodontitis is established by inspecting the soft gum tissues around the teeth with a probe and radiographs by visual analysis, to determine the amount of bone loss around the teeth. Specialists in the treatment of periodontitis are periodontists; their field is known as "periodontology" and "periodontics".

    Chronic Periodontitis, the most common form of the disease, progresses relatively slowly and typically becomes clinically evident in adulthood. Aggressive Periodontitis is a rarer form, but as its name implies, progresses more rapidly and becomes clinically evident in adolescence. Although the different forms of periodontitis are all caused by microorganism and mycotic infections, a variety of factors affect the severity of the disease. Important "risk factors" include smoking, poorly-controlled diabetes, and inherited (genetic) susceptibility.PD>

    Signs and symptoms
    In the early stages, periodontitis has very few symptoms and in many individuals the disease has progressed significantly before they seek treatment.
    Symptoms may include the following:
    *Redness or bleeding of gums while brushing teeth, using dental floss or biting into hard food (e.g. apples) (though this may occur even in gingivitis, where there is no attachme read more at » http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Periodontitis

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