Gum Disease and Receding Gums

Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment of Gum Disease and Receding Gums

Do your gums hurt? Are they swollen, bleeding, or receding? Any of these symptoms could be a sign of gum disease. With the right dental care and daily oral hygiene routine, you can reverse this severe condition. 

What is gum disease?

• Infections and inflammation of the gums and bone around the teeth
• Gingivitis—the first stage of gum disease—is a mild and easily reversible condition
• Periodontitis—the second stage of gum disease—is a severe condition and the leading cause of tooth loss among adults
• Periodontitis is linked with an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes

 What causes gum disease?

• Plaque releases acids that attack your gums and tooth surfaces
• Tartar’s rough surfaces irritate gum tissue and collect more plaque
• Excessive tartar and plaque forms occur as a result of poor oral hygiene or a lack of professional teeth cleanings
• Other risk factors include ageing, smoking, obesity, genetics, lack of nutrition, hormonal changes, drug abuse, and medication

Gum infection

• The space where your gums attach to the teeth easily traps food and plaque
• Plaque and tartar irritate your gums, causing an infection over time
• Chronic gum infections are associated with an increased risk for heart attack
• Smoking makes it harder to prevent gum infections and impedes their ability to heal

Receding gums

• Occurs when the gums pull back from your teeth, making them appear longer than before
• May be the result of wear and tear, aggressive tooth brushing, or gum disease
• Over time, plaque may damage your gums and cause them to pull back from your tooth
  Increases your risk of tooth decay, infection, and tooth loss
• A gum graft covers your exposed root and revives the tissue, but is only possible if detected early enough

Bleeding gums

• A primary symptom of gingivitis
• Usually occurs while brushing, flossing, or eating hard food
• Caused by buildups of plaque along the gumline

Swollen gums

• Plaque and tartar may swell your gums and cause gum disease
• May increase the severity of gum disease symptoms
• Swelling opens up pockets between gums and teeth that are perfect for bacteria

Sore gums

• Both mild and severe gum pain may indicate gum disease
• Other causes include hormonal changes, tobacco use, or improper oral hygiene

Inflamed gums

• Cause and symptom of gum disease
• Inflammation is your body’s response to excessive plaque and tartar

What is gum disease?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), gum disease is the result of infections and inflammation of the gums and bone around the teeth.

The first stage of gum disease is called gingivitis—a relatively mild condition that can usually be treated with an excellent oral hygiene routine. 

However, gingivitis is not to be taken lightly.

Untreated gingivitis becomes periodontitis—a severe form of gum disease. With periodontitis, the gums pull away from teeth, bone can be lost, and teeth may loosen or fall out.

In fact, periodontitis is the primary cause of tooth loss among adults. It’s a shockingly common problem:

The CDC estimates that 47.2% of adults aged 30 or older have periodontal disease. That number increases to 70.1% for seniors.

Unfortunately, it gets even worse:

Harvard Medical School reports that people with periodontal disease are three times more likely to have a heart attack, stroke, or other serious cardiovascular events.

What causes gum disease?

Bits of bacteria, food, acid and saliva combine into plaque that clings to your teeth. The bacteria in plaque release acids that attack your gums and tooth surfaces.

To make matters worse, if the plaque is not removed, it will harden into tartar. Tartar significantly increases your chances of developing gum disease.

Why?

According to Health Canada, the tartar’s rough surface irritates gum tissue and collects even more plaque.

Tartar is also tricky to remove. The only reliable way to do it is through professional teeth cleaning. That’s why it’s essential to get a dental check-up every 6 months!

While plaque and tartar are the primary cause of gum disease, other factors may contribute to developing the condition, such as:\

• Ageing
• Smoking
• Obesity
• Genetics
• Lack of nutrition
• Hormonal changes
• Drug abuse
• Medications that affect the immune system

The biggest risk factor is smoking. A study in Periodontology 2000 found that cigarette smokers are 2.7 times more likely than non-smokers to have moderate to advanced periodontal disease.

Gum Infection

Your gums attach to the teeth lower than you can see. Here, there is a small space where food and plaque can quickly become trapped.

As a result, plaque forms excessively along the gumlines, releasing harmful acid. Excessive tartar deposits will rub against your gums, irritating them. Either or both of these conditions may infect your gums.

If you have a history of gum infections, it is crucial to solve this problem. The Washington Post reports that chronic gum infection is associated with an increased risk for heart attack.

In addition to adopting a great oral hygiene routine, you should avoid smoking. According to Healthline, smoking makes it harder to fight off gum infections and for your gums to heal afterwards.

Receding Gums

Have you noticed that your teeth are longer than they were before?

You may have receding gums—when the gums pull back from your teeth and expose the root, potentially causing sensitivity.

The Canadian Dental Association (CDA) notes that receding gums are a common condition in adults over the age of 40. Often times, it is the result of wear and tear or aggressive tooth brushing.

Receding gums may also indicate gum disease.

If plaque builds-up for a long enough time on your gums, it damages them and pulls them from your teeth.

In any case, receding gums may increase your risk of decay, infection, and tooth loss.

Depending on the severity of your gum recession, a gum graft may be necessary to cover a portion of the exposed root and revive the tissue. However, in more developed cases, a gum graft may not be possible.

Therefore, the earlier you bring any gum recession to our attention, the better we are able to treat it.

Bleeding Gums

The Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care points to bleeding gums as a telltale sign of gingivitis. It typically will occur while brushing, flossing, or eating hard food.

According to the U.S. National Library Medicine, buildups of plaque along the gum line are usually to blame. As a result, this condition underscores the need for effective oral hygiene and professional teeth cleanings.

Swollen Gums

Notice your gums are puffy or swollen?

Through harmful acids and abrasion, excessive deposits of plaque and tartar may swell your gums. The point of attachment between your teeth and gums is especially at risk.

With gum disease, swollen gums may also increase the severity of your symptoms.

The problem is that the swelling opens up pockets between the gums and teeth that are perfect for bacteria to grow. Here, bacteria have a chance to decay the roots of your teeth.

If you notice you have swollen gums, you should book a dental appointment.

Sore Gums

Are your gums tender to the touch?

Experience discomfort in your gums when you eat or drink?

Mild or severe gum pain can be a sign of gum disease. Other times, gum pain is a sign of hormonal changes, tobacco use, or improper oral hygiene.

If you see that your gums are also red, swollen, or bleeding, you should book an appointment with us immediately.

Inflamed Gums

Have you noticed that your gums are abnormally enlarged or bulging?

You could have inflamed gums—both a cause and symptom of gum disease.

If you have excessive plaque and tartar in your teeth, your body will respond with gum inflammation.

As a result, you can potentially reverse this condition by brushing and flossing to remove plaque. However, a professional dental cleaning may be necessary to remove any tartar.