What Is Gum Disease?

Overview
Gingivitis--also called gum disease--is the most common form of gum disease. Gingivitis is often caused by inadequate or insufficient brushing and cleaning of the mouth and teeth. When plaque gets trapped between the gums and the teeth the body responds as if it is protecting the area from invaders. This causes irritation, swelling and even bleeding. People who are HIV positive, have diabetes, smoke, have poor nutrition or certain systemic diseases are more likely to suffer from gingivitis. Pregnant women and teenagers are more likely to develop gingivitis--probably because of fluctuating hormones.

Significance
Gum disease is very common--the Mayo Clinic reports nearly 80 percent of American adults are affected by gum disease. If left untreated it can lead to tooth loss and bone destruction. Losing your teeth is not a natural part of aging. With proper care and maintenance, your teeth can last a lifetime.

Features
Gingivitis is characterized by redness, swelling and possible bleeding with slight pressure--like when you brush your teeth. In the early stages of gingivitis you may not notice any symptoms and it's not always painful. If you're not experiencing any pain but do have swollen, irritated and bleeding gums, see your dentist. It is also likely that there is a genetic component to gum disease.

Prevention/Solution
Fortunately, gingivitis is usually easy to treat. You dentist will want to do a thorough cleaning, removing all of the plaque buildup. This might be fairly uncomfortable. After your professional cleaning you will need to keep up good cleaning habits--including brushing and flossing--to keep the gum disease at bay.

Warning
Gingivitis is gum disease in its mildest form. While it is easy to treat and prevent--by professional cleaning and maintenance of good oral hygiene habits--it can progress to more serious gum disease periodontitis if it is left untreated. Periodontitis is more serious and can cause gum tissue loss, bone destruction and tooth loss. Oddly, periodontitis can be present with very few symptoms or pain. It is important to see your dental care provider every 6 months to ensure the health of your gum tissue.

Misconceptions
People often assume that gum disease will cause pain. While gingivitis and periodontitis cause redness, swelling and bleeding, there is often mild or no reported pain. Periodontitis, although highly destructive, can be present with very few symptoms. Assuming that you don't have gum disease because your mouth is not in significant pain or you don't have other intense symptoms can lead to tooth loss and bone decay.

Gum disease is not a small infection, nor an insignificant one. Take care of your gums and teeth to prevent tooth loss in the future.