Gum disease is usually hard to notice because it is painless. If your gums are red and swollen, or if they bleed while brushing; have them checked by your dentist
The most important symptom of gum disease is bleeding gums that occur while brushing or spontaneously. Bleeding occurs due to inflammation in the gums. Redness and swelling may occur in the gums due to inflammation. In addition, root surfaces that are exposed, namely gum recession, sensitivity to cold or hot, loosening and shifting of teeth, and bad breath are also among the symptoms of the disease. Having a regular dental check-up every six months without waiting for these symptoms to appear prevents the disease before it occurs or prevents tooth loss by early diagnosis.
The transition from healthy gums to sick, inflamed gums is not very fast in a normal person; it is usually a process that extends over a long period of time and shows symptoms. If you do not ignore these symptoms and seek treatment; you can stop this process that leads to tooth loss and abscess formation.
IT ALSO AFFECTS THE HEART
Is there a relationship between chronic gum disease and cardiovascular diseases? Yes, there is. The main cause of gum disease is the microorganisms found in large numbers around the teeth and the harmful substances they produce. These microorganisms can enter the gum tissue and mix with the blood through the dense capillary blood vessels found in the inflamed gum tissue. The microorganisms mixed with the blood can spread to many organs and cause blockage of the heart vessels, thickening of the vascular walls and the emergence of heart diseases. In addition, it has been determined that microorganisms that can settle in the heart valves cause serious damage.
In studies comparing individuals who have had a heart attack or have cardiovascular disease with individuals who do not have these diseases, it has been determined that gum diseases are detected more frequently. Therefore, you should do your daily oral care regularly and effectively and visit the dentist twice a year for check-ups; will be very beneficial for your general health.
IT DOES NOT HEAL ON ITS OWN
Gum diseases do not heal on their own with treatments such as antibiotics, mouthwashes, or vitamins; they must be treated by a gum specialist. Early diagnosis will protect the health of the teeth as well as the gums. If these diseases are not treated, teeth may be lost. Since gum diseases usually do not cause any pain, they are one of the most common causes of tooth loss in our age. In terms of our general health; increasing scientific evidence supports the fact that the magnitude and severity of periodontal disease (gum diseases) are an important risk factor. In order to prevent gum disease, it is necessary to brush your teeth correctly at least twice a day, use dental floss at least once, and visit your dentist regularly every six months.
Bacterial plaque, the common enemy of teeth and gums, is a sticky and colorless microbial layer that accumulates on teeth and causes tooth decay and gum diseases. Factors such as crooked teeth, cavities, poorly made fillings and dentures, mouth breathing and dry mouth increase the accumulation of microbial dental plaque.
Bacterial plaque combines with the sugar in the food we eat to form a type of acid. This acid weakens the tooth enamel over time and causes tooth decay. Bacterial plaque is soft and can be easily cleaned by the patient. If it is not cleaned and accumulates, it hardens under the influence of calcium and phosphate ions from saliva and forms tartar. Tartar can only be removed from the tooth surfaces by a dentist. Tartar causes the bacterial plaque, which is the main cause of gum disease, to accumulate more easily on the teeth. Therefore, it is not harmful to have tartar cleaned. The progression of gum disease should be prevented by professional cleaning.
DIFFICULT TO NOTICE
Gum disease is an infectious disease that affects the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth. Periodontal diseases affect all age groups, including children. However, it is much more common in adults. Even teeth with no decay can be lost due to this disease. Since it is usually painless, its symptoms are difficult to notice by the patient and in most cases, the doctor is consulted late.
The effects of gum disease, one of the most common health problems in the world, on general body health are well known today. Such infections not only affect the mouth, but also affect the general health of the individual by the entry of bacteria into the bloodstream. Studies in recent years have shown that the risk of developing some systemic diseases increases in individuals with gum inflammation. As a result of these studies; gum inflammation has been found to be associated with diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, atherosclerosis, some respiratory system diseases, low birth weight in babies and the risk of premature birth. Therefore, teeth and oral tissues should be considered as an inseparable part of the body and it should not be forgotten that health and disease conditions affect the body as a whole.
TREATMENT OF GUM DISEASES
Periodontal diseases are diseases that can be largely prevented and controlled. The most important stage in periodontal treatment is that the patient learns to protect their oral health by effectively and regularly cleaning their gums, teeth and interdental spaces. In the early stages of gum disease, plaque and tartar are removed from the gum pocket using special tools. In addition to dental cleaning, curettage and root surface smoothing may be recommended. In cases where this treatment is not sufficient, gum surgery may also be considered. Early diagnosis will protect the health of the teeth as well as the gums. In the presence of systemic diseases, a medical doctor should be consulted and the disease should be tried to be brought under control.
During the initial treatment, also; Local factors that facilitate bacterial adhesion such as renewing bad and overflowing fillings, filling decayed teeth, correcting dentures that do not fit the gum margin and are not in the right shape should be removed, root canal treatments and if there are any, hopeless teeth should be extracted.
REGULAR CONTROL IS A MUST
After periodontal treatment, patients should be examined regularly by a dentist, plaque control and new tartar accumulations should be removed from the environment. However, it should not be forgotten that no procedure performed to maintain what is achieved with periodontal treatment can be more beneficial than the person effectively applying daily oral care procedures.
In some cases, periodontal destruction is observed to continue. In these cases, a positive response is obtained with antibiotic treatment in addition to traditional treatments.
