It's human to take your health for granted. When you're young and carefree, it's easy to believe that you'll feel vibrant and strong forever. Unfortunately, things break down when you neglect them -- your teeth and gums included.
When you don't brush or floss regularly, dental plaque, a sticky film filled with bacteria, forms on your teeth. Dental plaque can infect your gums and the sulcus, the v-shaped crevice just below the gum line.
At this stage, the infection is called gingivitis. If it progresses, it's called periodontitis. Both are forms of periodontal disease, also known as gum disease.
Symptoms of Periodontal Disease
Swollen gums make brushing and flossing difficult. And bad breath is a social faux pas. But both are actually signs of something much more serious -- gingivitis. These symptoms are often mild, so it's tempting to ignore them. However, when gingivitis is left untreated, it can develop into the "Big Daddy" of periodontal disease: periodontitis. Periodontitis destroys the tissue and bone that support the teeth and can cause tooth loss. Periodontitis can also be transmitted to your loved ones via saliva.
Other warning signs of periodontal disease include:
- Spaces developing between your teeth
- Pus between your teeth and gums
- Loose teeth
- Puffy, red, receding or bleeding gums