Gum Disease and Gingivitis

GUM DISEASE AND GINGIVITIS
4/19/2019
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What is Gum Disease?

Periodontal disease is also known as Gum Disease and is defined as:
Peri - meaning around
- dontal meaning tooth
Disease is any damage or injury that impairs an organism's function

What Causes Gum Disease and Gingivitis?

The tissues and supporting bone around a tooth may be attacked by specific bacteria, this may cause the teeth to become loose and cause tooth loss.  These bacteria can cause a gum infection, which is different than the bacteria that cause a cavity.

The specific bacteria that cause Gum Disease, Gingivitis, and Periodontal Disease are Anaerobic bacteria.  This means that they can only survive in an environment without oxygen.

This is why flossing and brushing your teeth daily is important.  You remove the debris, disrupt the biofilm forming, and allow oxygen to reach the pockets between your gums and teeth. 3.

Warning Signs of Gum Disease

• Gums that bleed when you brush your teeth
• Red, swollen and tending gums
• Gums that have pulled away from your teeth causing pocketing
• Bad breath that won't go away
• Loose teeth or a change in the way your teeth fit together, or how your removable partial denture fits
• Pus between your gums and teeth

References
1). http://www.biologyreference.com/Co-Dn/Disease.html

2. Marieb, E. (2007). Human Anatomy & Physiology. 7th ed. San Francisco: Pearson Education, Inc, p.Word Roots, Prefixes, Suffixes, and Combining Forms.

3 .https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK8259/