Do your gums bleed when you brush your teeth?
It has long been recognised that there is a link between gum disease and your overall health. Gum disease (also known as periodontitis) is, among other things, the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. About 40% of adults around the world have gum disease, but less than half that number is aware of gum disease.The precursor to periodontitis
Gingivitis is the inflammation of gums and is usually a precursor to periodontitis. However, that does not mean that all gingivitis will inevitably lead to periodontitis. Gingivitis means that your gums have become inflamed due to the bacteria in plaque build-up, and this is what makes your teeth bleed when you brush them. At this stage though your teeth are still firmly planted in their sockets and there is no irreversible bone or tissue damage. If left untreated and gingivitis progresses to periodontitis and the gum and bone start to pull away from the teeth and form pockets. These pockets then start to collect debris and become infected.This is where it starts to get messy
Your body’s immune system fights the bacteria as the plaque spreads and grows below the gum line. The toxins—a mix of your body’s enzymes and the bacteria from the plaque build-up—start to break down the bone and tissue holding teeth in place. As periodontitis progresses the pockets deepen and more bone and gum tissue are destroyed.How do you know if you’ve got gum disease?
One of the biggest problems with gum disease is that it can progress painlessly with few obvious signs. However, there are some warning signs that are hard to miss, such as:- Bleeding gums during and after brushing your teeth
- Red, swollen or tender gums
- Receding gums
- Loose or shifting teeth