What is Gum Recession (Periodontitis)?
Periodontitis, also called gum recession or gum disease, is a serious gum infection that damages the soft tissue around the teeth and, if left untreated, can destroy the bone that supports an individual’s teeth. Gingival recession (periodontitis) can cause loosening or tooth loss.
Gum recession (periodontitis) is a common but largely preventable condition. It is usually caused by poor oral hygiene and care. Brushing teeth at least twice a day, flossing daily, and having regular dental examinations can both reduce the likelihood of developing gingival recession (periodontitis) and greatly increase the chances of successful treatment.
Reasons
What Causes Gum Recession (Periodontitis)?
In many cases, the development of gingival recession (periodontitis) begins with the formation of plaque, a sticky film made up of bacteria at its base. If this plaque is left untreated, it can eventually turn into periodontitis.
Plaque forms on the teeth when starches and sugars in food interact with bacteria normally found in an individual’s mouth. Brushing twice a day and flossing once a day can remove plaque buildup, but plaque builds up quickly.
Plaque remaining on the teeth can harden below the gum line and become tartar, that is, tartar. Tartar is more difficult to remove than plaque and is full of bacteria. The longer plaque and tartar remain on your teeth, the more damage it can do. It is not possible to clean calculus by brushing and flossing. A professional dental cleaning is needed to remove it.
Plaque can cause gingivitis, the mildest form of gum disease. Gingivitis is the name given to the irritation and inflammation of the part of the gum tissue around the base of the tooth. Gingivitis can be reversed with professional treatment and good oral care at home.
Ongoing gingivitis can cause periodontitis. This causes pockets to form between your gums and teeth that fill with plaque, tartar, and bacteria. Over time, these pockets deepen and fill with more bacteria. If these deepening infections are left untreated, this results in both tissue and bone loss and can eventually lead to the loss of one or more teeth. Ongoing chronic inflammation can strain an individual’s immune system.
gingivitis, medications that cause dry mouth or gum changes, malnutrition including vitamin C deficiency, certain diseases such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease, hormonal changes such as those related to pregnancy or menopause, genetics, poor oral health habits, leukemia, HIV / Factors that cause decreased immunity such as AIDS and cancer treatment, obesity, smoking or chewing tobacco, or drug use can increase the risk of developing gingival recession (periodontitis).
What are the Complications that May Occur with Gingival Recession (Periodontitis)?
Tooth and jaw bone loss is one of the leading complications caused by gingival recession (periodontitis). In addition, the bacteria responsible for gingival recession (periodontitis) can enter the circulatory system from the gum tissue and affect other parts of the body.
It has been observed to be linked to problems controlling blood sugar in gingival recession (periodontitis), respiratory disease, rheumatoid arthritis, coronary artery disease and diabetes.
How to Prevent Gingival Recession (Periodontitis)?
The most effective way to prevent periodontitis is the habit of cleaning teeth, which is started from a young age and maintained continuously throughout life.
Good oral hygiene and dental hygiene means brushing the teeth at least twice a day, in the morning and before bed, and flossing at least once a day. Flossing used before brushing helps to better clean the food particles and bacteria stuck between the teeth. This prevents the development of an environment conducive to certain bacteria that cause periodontal disease around the teeth.
In general, regular visits to the dentist or dental professional for cleanings every 6 to 12 months will be beneficial, especially for individuals with risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing gum recession (periodontitis), such as dry mouth, use of certain medications, or smoking.
Symptoms
What are the Symptoms of Gum Recession (Periodontitis)?
Under normal conditions, healthy gums are hard and pale pink in color and fit snugly around the teeth. In case of gingival recession (Periodontitis), the following signs and symptoms are observed:
Swollen or bulging tooth
