Dr. Raja Sridhar

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.

A healthy mouth is the secret to a beautiful smile. To have good oral health, you need to keep your teeth, your tongue, as well as your gums healthy. To keep your gums healthy, you need to brush your teeth, use floss and mouthwash and take care of your gums. If you are able to do all this every day, then dental problems will be a mile away from your mouth. Taking care of your gums is extremely important for your overall oral health. Do not neglect even small problems like slight bleeding when using floss as it shows that your gums aren't totally healthy. Here are a few ways you can maintain your healthy gums:

1. Brushing regularly: You definitely need to brush your teeth regularly to maintain your oral health. Brushing your teeth at least twice daily is the best way to keep your teeth and gums healthy. But you need to know the proper way to brush so that you do not harm your gums. Apply a gentle pressure when you are brushing as, in a case otherwise, you might hurt your gums. Make sure you use a brush, which has soft bristles so that they do not cut into the gums. And while you are brushing, brush for at least two minutes as it takes a bit of time to kill the bacteria in your mouth.

2. Floss every day: Flossing everyday might seem a bit tedious, but it is extremely important for you to floss your teeth every day. It removes the plaque between your teeth before it can turn to tartar. Tartar and plaque attract the bacteria which later on harm the gums.

3. Regular use of mouthwash: Wash your mouth with mouthwash regularly. Not only will it help to keep your breath fresh, but it also helps to kill the bacteria in your mouth. There are a number of mouthwashes in the market manufactured only to do that.

4. Use sugarless gum to chew: If you chew a sugarless gum for about 20 minutes after you have eaten a meal, you will be able to clean your mouth as well as keep your breath fresh. But only do this if you cannot brush your teeth immediately. This is because if you chew gum regularly, then that might lead to certain jaw problems.

Keep your gums healthy and keep smiling. After all, a smile can melt a stone as well.