Dr. R.Suresh R

The gums are also called the periodontium which means perio for around and dontium for tooth as the gums are literally present "around the tooth."  There is a softer mucosal portion that runs along the tooth in a curved manner and a stronger fibrous portion that connects the tooth to the jaw bone.  Together, they provide the structural support for the tooth to be held in place. In addition they also have an aesthetic value with the healthy pink color.

The mouth has the largest number of bacteria in the body, which act on the food debris that is present on the tooth and the gums. This causes infection in both the gums and the tooth. 

Types: Periodontal disease can be localized or general.

1. Localized disease happens when a tooth is not accessible for thorough cleaning.  The inside surface of lower incisors and outer surfaces of the upper last molars are common areas of localized periodontal disease. 
2. Generalized periodontal disease can be due to conditions like pregnancy, puberty, diabetes problem where gums around all the teeth are affected.

Symptoms: In both the cases, the following symptoms ensue: 

1. The gums are of a healthy pink color and if they turn darker hue of pink
2. Swollen and/or painful gums
3. Spontaneous bleeding: This may be localized or generalized 
4. Chronic bad breath: Due to food accumulation in the infected gums
5. If it continues to form an abscess, pressure on the gums can produce pus
6. Bad taste in the mouth (arising from pus in the gums)
7. Gingival recession, producing an effect of having longer tooth 
8. Dentin is exposed leading sensitivity to hot or cold foods
9. Loosening of the tooth
10. Painful chewing, as it puts pressure on the inflamed periodontium
11. Dentist will identify what are called pockets, which is an indication of severity - the deeper the pockets, the severe the disease.

Management and Prevention: Gum disease is very easy to identify and can be completely cured.

1. Regular brushing and flossing can help maintain regular oral hygiene 
2. With each brushing session, plain finger massage of the gums improves blood circulation and their overall health
3. Regular use of mouth rinse is a good way to improve gum health
4. Regular visits to the dentist can help keep a check on the health of the teeth and the gums - early identification of disease and early treatment
5. Once it has set in, deep scaling followed by root planing may be required to thoroughly clear out the infection
6. More surgical options like gingival grafts, flap surgery, bone grafting in case of severe bone loss may be required. 
7. Management of conditions like diabetes

The best way to avoid periodontal disease is to know its symptoms, follow oral hygiene practices, and consult a dentist regularly.

Dentistry is not expensive, neglect is! brushing is an activity that has been embedded in our systems since time immemorial. It's an exercise you start and end your day with, a routine that can sometimes pass by almost subconsciously, leading to bad habits and ultimately poor oral health and hygiene.

Here are a few mistakes people commonly make when brushing their teeth.

Not using the proper toothbrush

The biggest myth of our time is to buy a medium or hard tooth brush to clean more effectively that's what causes the maximum damage over the years by wearing off healthy natural teeth with overzealous care.

Using an anti-sensitivity/whitening toothpaste permanently

A common mistake is to use a medicated tooth paste meant to mask sensitivity over a prolonged period. Such a practice only masks the symptom does not treat the problem and also leaves you vulnerable to cavities, gum disease and bad breath since the predominant component in such a tooth paste is for treating sensitivity or lightening tooth color.

The type of toothpaste that you use doesn't matter very significantly as long as you use the right amount and twice a day.

Sensitive toothpastes are meant to be used for a prescribed period of time and whitening toothpastes must be used under supervision to prevent any potential damage to your teeth.

Toothpaste must protect your teeth and gums both so a combination of paste that contains fluoride that protects your teeth from decay -and the gel based part has the antibacterial properties to prevent gum disease and bad breath.

Brushing too quickly or too many times

Most of us hate going to the dentist and find brushing an easier alternative but you cant exactly brush off old cavities just prevent new ones.

See to it that you do not brush your teeth more than twice in a day. Excessive brushing can damage your gums and enamel. It will not take a lot of pressure to remove the plaque; hence most dental practitioners suggest brushing using a very balanced pressure.

Studies show that brushing two times a day and about 2-3 minutes every time is perfect to maintain good oral hygiene. Most people make the mistake of falling short of this duration every time they brush. You can ideally divide the mouth in four sections and approximately spend around 30-40 seconds on each section.

Incorrect brushing technique

The strokes while brushing your teeth must be vertical and not horizontal. Many people are habituated with performing long horizontal brushing strokes; this leads to irritation and damage.

Learn the right technique

Hold your brush at an angle of 45 degrees to your gums and brush your gums and teeth with an up and down motion and short strokes. Don't use side to side strokes. Also, start brushing on areas that you have been ignoring till now, reach the difficult to reach inner portion of your teeth. Implement it as a daily ritual and you will attain perfection in it.

Wrestling or brushing

Hard brushing damages the gums and is not good for you. Excessive brushing i. E. Brushing more than 3-4 times is also bad for you. You must always observe a balance in brushing which keeps your dental health healthy.

Fix 

Since unlearning a bad brushing habit maybe harder the easier solution is to switch from a manual to an automatic brush. Going automatic by using a battery operated brush is recommended since it takes the guesswork out of brushing.

It may take a while to get adjusted to but like so many other things which are designed to make life easier automatic brushes make dental hygiene very easy and can even reduce the frequency of your dental visits.

Supplement your brushing 

Of course, brushing your teeth is only a part of a complete dental care routine. Mouth wash twice a day. You should always rinse your mouth and keep it cleaned; otherwise, the germs from the teeth will stay on.

Clean between teeth daily with floss. Tooth decay-causing bacteria still linger between teeth where toothbrush bristles can't reach. This helps remove plaque and food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line. Eat a balanced diet and limit between-meal snacks. Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and oral exams. Got some questions? ask us comment below; we will answer as soon as possible.