One of the most important areas of health is actually dental hygiene. It is so important because it can lead to other diseases in other parts of the body. Gum disease is probably one of the most common forms of oral diseases. It is not only irritating, but can also be difficult to treat if oral health is ignored for too long. So what causes gum disease? Actually, many different things can cause it, but there are also various treatments and ways to prevent gum disease.

Gum disease is a condition that causes inflamed gums, rotting them slowly away, and, if left untreated, then it can destroy the whole structure of the mouth and jaw. Gingivitis is actually a gum infection. Early stages will appear as swollen, red, sensitive teeth and gums, and it can progress rapidly from there. Once gum disease is contracted, it can become a chronic problem for some people. In later stages of gum disease, a puss-like discharge can appear on the gums.

The causes of gum disease can vary. The number one cause is poor dental hygiene. What happens in this case is that plaque builds up from infrequent brushing, and in time, turns into tartar. The tartar is an irritant to the gums, which then causes the swelling and irritation. Smokers are at least twice as likely to get some kind of gum disease. Teenagers, pregnant women and women in menopause are at a higher risk as well. There are many other conditions that can contribute to gum disease, such as high exposure to metals, radiation, poorly fitted fillings, and others.

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008 at 5:06 pm and is filed under Health & Beauty. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.