Gingivitis & Gum Disease

WHAT IS A GUM DISEASE?

According to the Canadian Dental Association, gum disease, or periodontal disease, is one of the most common dental problems adults face. It can begin at any age, its development is usually slow and it does not cause any pain. You may not notice any signs until the disease is serious and you are in danger of losing teeth.¹

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF GUM DISEASE?

Gum disease begins with dental plaque (biofilm). In the early stage, gum disease is called gingivitis. Your gums may be a bit red and bleed when you brush, but you may not notice anything. Factors that may also contribute to gingivitis include:

• Diabetes
• Smoking
• Aging
• Genetic predisposition
• Systemic diseases and conditions
• Stress
• Inadequate nutrition
• Puberty
• Hormonal fluctuations
• Pregnancy
• Substance abuse
• HIV infection
• Certain medication use

CHRONIC PERIODONTAL INFLAMMATORY DISEASE

Gingivitis is the mildest form of gum disease. It causes the gums to become red, swollen, and bleed easily. There is usually little or no discomfort at this stage. Gingivitis is often caused by inadequate oral hygiene. Gingivitis is reversible with professional treatment and good oral home care.

Untreated gingivitis can advance to gum disease. With time, plaque can spread and grow below the gum line. Toxins produced by the bacteria in plaque irritate the gums. The toxins stimulate a chronic inflammatory response in which the body in essence turns on itself, and the tissues and bone that support the teeth are broken down and destroyed. Gums separate from the teeth, forming pockets (spaces between the teeth and gums) that become infected. As the disease progresses, the pockets deepen and more gum tissue and bone are destroyed. Often, this destructive process has very mild symptoms that we tend to think are normal and ok because they have been this way for a long time but they are not! Eventually, teeth can become loose and may have to be removed.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE GUM DISEASE?

Gum disease is often silent, meaning symptoms may not appear until an advanced stage of the disease.
However, warning signs of gum disease include the following:

• Red, swollen or tender gums or other pain in your mouth
• Bleeding while brushing, flossing, or eating hard food
• Gums that are receding or pulling away from the teeth, causing the teeth to look longer than before
• Loose or separating teeth
• Pus between your gums and teeth
• Sores in your mouth
• Persistent bad breath
• A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
• A change in the fit of partial dentures

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