Gingivitis is a condition commonly known as "bleeding gums." When someone has gingivitis, they are likely to experience bleeding when brushing and flossing, tenderness and redness of the gums. Gingivitis is caused by insufficient removal of plaque from the teeth, gums, and gumline. The reason it is so important to remove this soft food debris is bacteria levels. When plaque is allowed to sit on the teeth and gums, it allows the bad bacteria to run rampant. Plaque can soften the enamel (the white part of the tooth) which then allows cavity-causing bacteria to enter the tooth structure and cause a cavity. When the plaque is allowed to sit on the gums for too long, it causes irritaiton to the gums which can be painful and more susceptible to bleeding. If not treated and reversed in a timely manner, gingivitis can turn into periodontal disease.
Periodontal disease is a condition many people face when gingivitis has not been addressed. Periodontal disease presents as bone loss, periodontal pocketing when the Hygienist measures the patient's gums, and hardened build up, or calculus, above and/or below the gumline. The reason periodontal disease presents and progresses the way it does is because of your body's immune response. When your body senses high bacteria levels and inflammation, it triggers an immune response that tells your body to start drawing back the bone in that area, then the gums follow the bone which results in gum recession. Periodontal disease, unfortunately, is NOT reversible and can cause some serious issues for the patient. If periodontal diease is not addressed, it can lead to:
