Overview: Gingivitis (gum disease or periodontal disease), describes the events that begin with bacterial growth in your mouth and may end--if not properly treated--with tooth loss due to destruction of the tissue that surrounds your teeth. Gingivitis usually precedes periodontitis. However, you should know that gingivitis does not always progress to periodontitis.

In the early stage of gingivitis, bacteria in plaque build up, causing the gums to become inflamed. Inflamed gum is typically seen as red swollen gum. It often easily bleeds during tooth brushing. However the irritated gums have not yet suffered irreversible damage such as bone loss or permanent tissue damage. But if you do not treat your gums quickly, then you may get periodontitis, which is a disease causing the inner layer of the gum and bone supporting the teeth pull away from the teeth. This pulling away creates small space between your teeth and is known as pockets. These pockets between teeth and gums can amass debris and become infected and the plaque now spreads and grows below the gum line.

Factor for gingivitis & gum disease development: Health and lifestyle choices that increase the speed of gum disease development and the severity of the disease include smoking, stress, unbalanced and sugar rich food intake, and genetic predisposition. Tobacco use is a big risk factor for development of periodontitis. As per research estimates, smokers are seven times more likely to be affected by periodontitis than nonsmokers. Stress affects your immune system and makes it difficult to fight against infection.

Preventing Gingivitis: It can be reversed in nearly all cases by practicing proper plaque control. Such a practice requires professional cleaning of your teeth at a licensed dental office and removal of tartar, plaque and other deposits from your tooth above and under your gum line at least twice a year. You also need daily brushing and flossing. Brushing eliminates plaque from the surfaces of the teeth that can be reached; flossing removes food particles and plaque from between the teeth and under the gum line. Maintaining a well-balanced diet can help your immune system. Eating foods with antioxidant properties, Vitamins C or E, such as vegetable oils, nuts, green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, broccoli, and potatoes can help your body repair damaged tissue.

Diagnosis and prevention of gingivitis is the one of best ways to prevent later stage irreversible periodontal disease, which causes a host of problems including loss of your teeth. Call our office today to get an evaluation of whether you may have gingivitis or periodontal disease.