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How does plaque cause
gum disease?
Who is at risk for gum disease?
What should I do if I think I have gingivitis?
What is periodontitis?
What symptoms should I be looking out
for?
How do I help prevent periodontitis from
developing? |
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If plaque is not regularly removed from teeth, including the areas
below the gum line, it can irritate the gums, leading to gum disease.
Regular brushing and cleaning between teeth is essential to help
prevent gum disease.
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How does plaque cause gum disease?
If plaque is left to build up, the bacteria produce toxins that
can irritate the gums and damage teeth. The earliest stage of
gum disease is called gingivitis. This is an inflammation of the
gums, which may cause swelling, tenderness and bleeding when brushing
or flossing.
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Who is at risk for gum disease?
Gum disease can affect any age group, including children. However,
it most often affects adults. In fact, about three out of four adults
over age 35 have some form of gum disease now or have had it in
the past.
Your risk of getting gum disease increases if you smoke or have
certain medical conditions. It is therefore vital to keep your
dentist informed of your general health.
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What should I do if I think I have gingivitis?
Fortunately, with proper oral care every day and regular visits
to the dentist, you can help prevent gingivitis from ever developing.
It is best prevented and, in most cases quickly healed, by following
a routine to remove plaque every day - this is a two step process
of brushing with a soft bristled toothbrush and cleaning between
teeth. Together they prevent plaque from building up on tooth surfaces
and under the gum line.
Gingivitis is not a permanent condition. It can be reversed,
because no permanent damage has occurred to the bone supporting
the teeth.
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What is periodontitis?
Left untreated, gingivitis may progress to a more severe form of
gum disease called periodontitis, or periodontal disease. Periodontitis damages the bone
and gums that support the teeth. Once periodontitis develops, the
damage can't be reversed: only a professional treatment program
and an improved level of daily oral care at home can keep it from
getting worse.
If you have periodontitis your dentist will provide you with
a tailored program for maintaining your teeth and gums, to halt
the progress of the disease. Oral-B offers a range of oral hygiene
products that are safe to use if you have periodontitis, including
the Oral-B range of power toothbrushes. Because our power toothbrushes
have been proven to remove more plaque than a manual toothbrush,
you can improve your level of oral hygiene, which is a critical
factor in controlling gum disease.
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What symptoms should I be looking out for?
Periodontitis may initially occur without many visible symptoms,
therefore regular dental exams are critical for early diagnosis.
Common symptoms of periodontitis are red, swollen gums that have
started to pull away from the teeth, creating pockets. This is
often associated with tooth sensitivity, a feeling of intense
pressure between the teeth or bleeding when brushing or flossing.
In more advanced stages, you may experience gum recession, root
decay, pus between teeth and gums, and loosening or eventual loss
of teeth.
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| Early Periodontitis |
Moderate Periodontitis |
Advanced Periodontitis |
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How do I help prevent periodontitis from developing?
By adopting a thorough oral care routine you can help avoid periodontitis
- here are some useful tips:
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Brush thoroughly twice a
day, with a soft bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste
- preferably in the morning and before bed |
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Clean between your teeth
daily to remove plaque from areas your toothbrush can't reach |
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Visit your dentist and hygienist
regularly - at least once every six months, for a cleaning
and exam |
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Avoid smoking and using
tobacco |
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Dentists recommend that
you change your toothbrush at least every three months or
earlier if the toothbrush looks worn, because research shows
that a new toothbrush can remove more plaque than one that's
three months old1 |
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