Types of Gum Disease

There are several types of gum disease that commonly occur in a large portion of the population. These diseases can typically be attributed to things like poor diet, insufficient hygiene habits, limited access to dental care, and poor sanitation practices are all highly correlated with the onset of gum disease. The two most prevalent types of gum disease are known as gingivitis and periodontitis. These affect a large number of people every year, including children. If not treated properly, both of these diseases can lead to a loss of teeth and possible further infection.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is probably the most commonly known form of gum disease. Typically, it begins with mild symptoms of red, swollen, or bleeding gums but without much pain. Gingivitis is most commonly associated with improper oral hygiene.

Other risk factors that are correlated with the onset of gingivitis may include:

Old age
Poverty
Diabetes
Improper diet
Lack of hygiene or sanitation
Poor medical care
Smoking
Stress
Genetics
Imbalances in hormones
Pregnancy
HIV or other autoimmune diseases
Medication side effects

Periodontitis

Periodontitis is a more advanced form of gingivitis. Periodontitis develops when plaque and tartar accumulate beneath the gum line and begin to produce toxins that cause damage to the tissue of the gums. The toxins that are produced trigger an autoimmune response in the body which basically causes the immune system to begin destroying gum tissue. The results of this can be cosmetically and medically extreme. The gums begin to separate from the teeth and will eventually fall out if left untreated. As time progresses, the only option to stop periodontitis may be the removal of the infected teeth. There are several different subtypes of periodontitis, each varying in its degree of severity from the others.

Some of the most common types of periodontitis include but are not limited to:

Aggressive periodontitis which includes rapid destruction of bone and gum tissue
Chronic periodontitis which is the most common and occurs more slowly
Comorbidity with other diseases such as HIV or other infections
Necrotic periodontitis which kills all of the surrounding tissue, usually occurring in individuals with immune disorders

If you suspect that you or a member of your family may be suffering from gingivitis or periodontitis, it is important to see an expert in periodontics like those at Central Florida Periodontics in order to stop the progress of the disease and avoid the degradation of teeth and gum tissue.