Poor oral hygiene causes gum inflammation, which can lead to gingivitis and periodontitis. If left untreated, it can cause severe pain, bleeding gums, and tooth loss. Regular brushing and flossing, along with dental checkups, can prevent gum disease.
Poor oral hygiene is often the cause of gum inflammation. When a person does not brush their teeth properly, plaque builds up and begins to irritate the gums. Gum disease gingivitis is a particularly common disease that causes inflammation of the gums and is ultimately caused by poor oral hygiene. However, inflamed gums can be a symptom of more serious gum disease. Gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, which can lead to severe pain, bleeding gums and tooth loss.
Dental plaque builds up on your teeth, and if it’s not removed within about three days, it hardens and becomes tartar. If proper brushing and flossing are not done daily, this process repeats itself until the gums become irritated and inflamed. Gum disease, and therefore inflammation, is caused by this lack of proper oral hygiene.
There are two possible types of diseases that can cause inflammation of the gums: gingivitis and periodontitis. Gum disease gingivitis is caused by the body’s reaction to chemicals emitted by bacteria that react to plaque around certain areas of the teeth and gums. Gingivitis can evolve into periodontitis, although not always, even if left untreated. Periodontitis refers to the loss of alveolar bone around the teeth, caused by microbes on the teeth and the immune system’s reaction to those microbes. If periodontitis is present, it will always have been preceded by gingivitis.
Depending on the severity, sometimes the inflammation goes away with regular brushing and flossing. For example, early-diagnosed gingivitis can be cured with impeccable oral hygiene. In many cases, however, the affected person should get a deep cleaning from a dentist along with advice on how to continue treatment and prevent future gum disease. If the gum disease is severe, the affected person may need more cleanings, antibiotics, and other procedures to rid them of the infection and improve the appearance of their mouth. Not treating inflammation of the gums, whatever the cause, usually leads to the condition getting worse.
Dentists generally recommend brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day. Using a soft bristle brush is often highly recommended, along with longer rather than harder brushing. Finally, flossing is important for preventing gum disease and should be done gently to avoid cutting your gums. Combined with routine checkups performed by a dentist, gum inflammation caused by poor oral hygiene should no longer be a problem.
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