Brushing and flossing techniques are very important to your overall daily oral hygiene. The effectiveness of this routine is important so that you can avoid extensive dental treatments in the future. Early prevention is advantageous as advanced bone loss from periodontal disease is usually irreversible. Your gums and jaw bone are the foundations for your teeth, so if your gums are not properly maintained, gum diseases such as gingivitis and periodontitis can occur.
Gingivitis occurs when plaque forms on your teeth and around your gum line, the presence of this bacterial plaque will result in gum inflammation, this is often a painless condition but ongoing inflammation will lead to periodontitis if left untreated.
Gingivitis is an early sign of gum disease, symptoms of gingivitis include:
- Red gums
- Swollen interdental papillae; the soft tissue between teeth
- Gums bleed easily during brushing and flossing
- Sometimes bad breath
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Periodontal disease is a severe form of gum disease that destroys soft tissue and bone structure, if not treated promptly will result in tooth loss and in the longer term periodontal disease which can cause even more serious problems such as increasing your risk of heart attack or stroke.
Signs and symptoms of the disease may include:
- Swollen red or purple gums
- Bleeding gums on brushing
- Periodontal pocketing (loss of gum attachment from tooth)
- Pus draining from gum pockets
- Bone loss visible on x-rays
- Tenderness
- Spaces developing between your teeth
- Recession of the teeth
- Persistent bad breath
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