Wide smile with glistening teeth is always welcome and does wonders for your self-esteem but have you wondered if you are suffering from bad or inflamed gums will it be fruitful to show off your smile. It is a contagious disease and is generally not seen by the naked eye. Bad gums result in breaking of tissues, tooth decay and a possible tooth loss. Gums also have layers and a small space in the gum is called sulcus.

There are commonly three kinds of Gum diseases:

• Gingivitis- It is the most common and general form of gum disease that causes inflammation of the gums, bleeding and make it red but are easily cured.
• Periodontitis- It is an aggravated form of gingivitis because if gingivitis is not cured it leads to Peritonitis. It leads to deformation and weakness in the tooth structure, loosens the teeth and opens up gaps in teeth and gums. Diseases that are associated with it are heart diseases, diabetes and respiratory diseases.
• Necrotizing Peritonitis disease- it is a serious infection leading to necrosis of tissues of gums, periodontal ligament and alveolar bone.

Causes of Gum Diseases

• Growth of bacteria such as plaque
• Fluctuations in hormones
• Dry mouth and less of saliva accumulation in the mouth
• Smoking
• Genetically linked
• Lack of proper brushing and flossing

One can spot gum disease if you are suffering from swollen gums, bleeding gums, bad breath, teeth loss and gap in between the teeth. If you suspect these problems then the natural solution is to consult a dentist who will prescribe a scaling treatment in general cases but if it is severe then you have to opt for periodontal surgery. Proper treatment is not carried out due to negligence or consumption of harmful medicines. Many doctors prescribe steroids, oral contraceptive and channel blockers which may increase the risk of periodontal disease. The disease is more common in males and it is detected when they are in their 30s and 40s.

Ways to prevent Gum Disease:

• Brushing your teeth twice a day followed by flossing
• Less consumption of sugar related foods and fizzy drinks
• Using anti bacterial mouthwash
• Using essential oils like lavender, eucalyptus or tea tree oil. These oils can be mixed with homemade brushing paste and used after brushing as a rinse.

Some myths and facts those are associated with Gum Diseases

1. Gum Disease has nothing to do with age as it can purely arise due to plaque dis-functioning.
2. It is not a light issue because if gum disease reaches the advanced stage it becomes severe. So it should be checked earlier.
3. Gum diseases can be found out by an oral health checkup and usually not by oneself.