Healthy gum appears pink and firm. Brushing and flossing in the healthy stages of gum tissue will be a pleasant experience and there will be no bleeding. This is the phase that all gum tissue should be in if it is healthy and clean. Once gingivitis sets in (the beginning stages of gum disease), gums will take on a red and puffy look, and bleed easily upon brushing and flossing. Once gum disease progresses, the chances of returning to a healthy condition deceases drastically – once gum tissue has reached the advanced level, it is likely past of the point of no return and will result in tooth loss. Periodontal disease is the #1 reason of tooth loss.

Healthy gums and teeth

Gingivitis, which is the early stage of gum disease, if treated professionally (with an implemented solid home care program), gum can return to be healthy again without further consequences. So how do we categorize the stages of gum disease (besides the clinical characteristics)? A bleeding index and dental radiographs help, along with periodontal probing depths, which are universally used as guide to diagnose and monitor the progress of the treatment and condition of gum disease. The periodontal probing depths are obtained with a read-out, by lightly inserting a needle (thin and finely marked instrument) sliding between the space between the gum and tooth.

The stage of gingivitis.

Gingivitis, could have a normal pocket reading of 0 to 3 mm. Gum will be red, puffy, and tender, it will bleed easily and possibly exhibit bad breath and bad taste.

Early (mild) periodontitis will show a pocket reading range from 3 t o 5 mm. At this stage, gum gets more tender, bleeds more easily, and there is always looming bad breath and bad taste. At this stage of gum disease, immediate attention and treatment is required if there is any chance of reversing the condition to an easily-manageable and healthy state.

Mild Periodontitis

Moderate Periodontitis is characterized by a periodontal pocket depth of 5-7mm. Gum tissue may become even redder and puffier, it will bleed easily, and bad breath and bad mouth taste are constant.Often times teeth may begin to look longer as gum tissue recedes, and gum boils or abscesses may develop. Front teeth may begin to drift apart showing space or becoming loose.

Moderate Periodontitis

Advanced Periodotitis gets a pocket measurement of more than 7 millimeters, and may progress to 11 or 12 mm, indicating that bone and connective tissues have been continuously destroyed. This is the terminal stage of gum disease. If a patient has just been diagnosed with advanced periodontitis and the teeth are still firm (pockets are less than 9mm, with longer roots, and more localized condition), then there is possibility that with gum surgery and graft, bone regeneration still is possible. Keep in mind however, that the prognosis is guarded. In most situations, advanced periodontitis will result in tooth loss. Replacement implant therapy or other restorative options will be advised.

Advanced Periodontitis

Remember that prevention is the best treatment, especially for gum disease. You are the person who can best take care of yourself, be disciplined with your home care program (including hygiene) and schedule regular check-ups with both your dentist and dental hygienist who can help you stay away of big problems.

Take caution at the first signs of Gingivitis!

Typical signs of gum disease include bleeding gums, red or swollen gums, loose teeth or halitosis (bad breath). It all starts with inflammation of the gum tissue, which is called gingivitis: symptoms are light and include occasional bleeding, which can if left undiagnosed can progress to irreversible periodontal disease. This in turn can cause unhealthy systemic conditions such as heart attacks and hypertension! Of course, a fully implemented oral hygiene routine is your first and safest bet in preventing bacterial agents that cause gum disease. Brush and floss your teeth for two minutes minimum twice a day and after every meal. This will prevent bacteria and plaque from building up between your teeth and between your gums, which cause the beginning stages of both gingivitis and halitosis. It is also important to build up your host resistance to prevent tissue break down by maintaining a healthy diet rich in antioxidants, like Vitamin C, B and E, calcium, magnesium and silica.

If you do have signs of gum disease, try these remedies to reduce your symptoms. Salt water: this old home remedy can help you not only relieve the symptom of a sore throat, but can also reduce the swelling and bleeding of gum tissues. It can also reduce halitosis in minor cases. Eating right, as mentioned by foods rich in vitamin C (or take supplements) will also help. Tea tree oil can aid in reducing gingivitis conditions. Add a few drops of a tea tree oil supplement to your toothbrush after brushing to add a protective layer to the oral tissues. Finally, massaging your gums with your fingertips can stimulate blood circulation within your gums, and often times provide pain relief!

Try these home remedies if you can not get to your dentist right away and believe you may be suffering from gum disease. No home solution is a substute for professional service. Schedule a visit to your dental professional if you have experienced bleeding gums, loose teeth or bad breath. Listen to your body and take care your dental problems as soon as possible – bringing your oral health back to a healthy condition is always your wisest move!

Lose job = loose teeth.

These two analogies went through my mind while I was writing my last blog on gum disease, feeling the overwhelming impact of our falling economy!

It might seem like common sense that stress can take a toll on our health, but often we don’t think about what specific implications stress can have. Only weeks ago, Mahesh Verma, principal of the Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences said “Growing economic stress among people has a deep damaging impact on teeth and heart. Recent studies have found that financial stress is one of the major cause of increasing dental problems.”

The damage begins when chemical triggers block your immune function, inhibiting your body’s natural defense mechanisms and deplete your teeth supporting bones of calcium and other necessities in order to maintain blood mineral levels. These triggers, brought on by stress (such as an economic recession), can worsen over time and indeed cause gum disease, in addition to a host of other medical maladies! The stress can also lead to poor diet and lifestyle habits (smoking, drinking), further damaging your health.

let’s hope today’s economical crunch has less impact on tomorrow’s public health!

Take home message: besides stress management, take charge of your own dental health, spend the full (read: required!) two minutes on oral hygiene brushing and flossing your teeth. Eat healthy, think positive and get ready for a better tomorrow.

Gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease causing inflammation around the gums affects over 50% of America’s population! See blood when rinsing your mouth after brushing? If so, you’ve got gingivitis. Bacterial biofilms, also known as plaque, as well as tartar adhere to tooth surfaces throughout the day. These bacterial substances build up in the small gaps between your teeth and produce toxins that cause the periodontal tissues like the gum and supporting bone to inflame. Over the years, this inflammation can cause deep pockets between the teeth and gums and loss of bone around the teeth, which is when gingivitis progresses to periodontitis. Gingivitis is reversible, but periodontitis can only be managed after treatment. Early detection, treatment and prevention is the key to save your teeth!

The loss of bone around the teeth can cause serious structure issues within the jaw; eventually leading to tooth loss. The signs of gum disease include red and swollen gums, blood appearing when brushing or flossing, mouth sores, bad breath, loose teeth and gum recession.

The causes of gum disease, besides the bacterial factors, are systemic and host resistance which needs to be revealed, such as stress, medication, hormonal changes, illness, bad habits (smoking, poor hygiene, poor diet), genetic history, etc… There are different approaches to treat the disease.

The mouth-body connection has been a hot topic for the past decade. We have learned about the association of gum disease with other chronic inflammatory conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and alzheimer’s disease. Believe it or not, gum disease can even cause your physical health to deteriorate into a stroke, endangering a pregnancy.

So be kind to yourself! Treat those bleeding gums! Cosult with your dental professional. Treatments provided from a dental professional include cleaning up the “bad stuff” through deep scaling, root planning, laser gum treatment, medication applied locally or systemically, home care education and home care programs. Please take action to treat bleeding gums!