Posted: May 17, 2013
Many adults throughout the U.S. currently have some form of gum disease, which can range from inflammation of the gums to an advanced form of gum disease that threatens the soft tissue and bone support for your teeth.
The most common cause of gum disease is not maintaining good oral hygiene habits. If you don’t brush and floss every day, then the bacteria that naturally lives in your mouth will get out of control. This bacteria combines with food debris and other particles to form plaque. Brushing and flossing are necessary to rid your mouth of plaque. When you don’t remove it, it hardens and forms tartar.
Gingivitis, the mild form of gum disease, develops as inflammation in your gums in reaction to the buildup of plaque and tartar. With gingivitis, your gums will become red and swollen and will bleed easily.
Left untreated, gingivitis will develop into periodontitis. This is the advanced form of gum disease. Your gums will begin to pull away from your teeth and form infected pockets. The bones and connective tissue that hold your teeth in place will begin to break down. At this stage, you will need aggressive periodontal treatment.
If you haven’t seen a dentist for a while, now is the time to get back to a good dental hygiene routine and keep gum disease at bay. Please call 201-792-9400or contact Frank R. DePaola DDS and Associates today to schedule your consultation with an experienced Hoboken dentist.
