The two most common types of gum or periodontal diseases are gingivitis and periodontitis.
These can lead to tooth loss and even inability of the affected person to go about with his normal daily activities due to pain.
These are caused by bacterial infection that irritates the gums including the bone that support the tooth.
The issue of gum disease starts from plaque bacteria which cling on the teeth that eventually irritate and inflame the gums.
Plaque is also the cause of tooth decay which causes the root inside the tooth to also get irritated.
Periodontitis has many forms and the most common ones are aggressive periodontitis, chronic periodontitis, necrotizing periodontal disease, and periodontitis caused by systemic diseases.
Aggressive periodontitis involve the rapid reduction of the bone level and familial aggregation of the tooth.
It also includes attachment loss of the tooth to the bones.
Chronic periodontitis is caused by inflammation of the tissues supporting the teeth.
This is the type that frequently occurs and is characterized by a pocket formation or gingival recession.
Bone and attachment loss eventually occurs because of this.
Periodontitis caused by systemic diseases can occur at a young age and some illnesses that can cause this are diabetes and respiratory diseases.
Lastly, necrotizing periodontitis is characterized by lesions which can be caused by malnutrition, immunosuppressant, and HIV.
Anyone who is affected by a gum disease should visit the dentist and have their teeth and gums check.
Since the cause of periodontal diseases is bacteria from plaque, there is a greater probability that a tooth could already be damaged.
The treatment of gum diseases vary according to the severity of the situation.
Most dentists will start removing plaque on the tooth and salvage the remaining part of the tooth that has not been affected.
Yet for gum diseases caused by illnesses or those that are symptom of a worse type of disease such as respiratory diseases, the main cause of the problem should be addressed first.
The dentist may refer the patient to another doctor who can provide treatment to the underlying respiratory disease.
That is why it is crucial for people who encounter gum diseases to immediately address the situation by visiting their dentists.
No one can tell if the issue could be caused by a much worst disease unless the dentist can diagnose the issue properly.
For gum diseases that are symptoms of other illnesses should also be sought for a treatment first and prioritize the root of the problem prior to the treatment of the teeth and gums.