GUM PROBLEMS

TYPES

Various types of gum problems include:

• Gingivitis. It is a gum disease in which the gums become inflamed. It happens while brushing teeth, and swollen and red gums. 
• Periodontitis. It has the same symptoms as gingivitis, but it causes gum tissue and jawbone damage.
• Gum recession. It is one of the most common gum problems for adults. It happens when the gum line pulls away from the tooth’s original attachment, often caused by teeth grinding, chewing tobacco, overbrushing, inherited poor gums, trauma, or orthodontic treatment.
• Gum abscess. It occurs as a pus-filled blister or lump on the gums. It is caused by a bacterial infection, resulting in swelling and pain.

SYMPTOMS

Healthy gums should be coral pink and hard without bleeding. The symptoms of gum inflammation are:

• bleeding with flossing or brushing
• swelling
• redness
• pain
• bad breath
• bleeding gums
• receding gums 
• constant bad breath

DIAGNOSIS

During a dental examination, the orthodontist will inspect your gums and record the signs of inflammation. He/she will also measure the spaces between the gum and teeth called “periodontal pockets” to indicate the gum’s general health.

Moreover, the orthodontist will look for signs of gum problems like:

• bleeding
• swelling
• redness
• soreness
• bad breath

Furthermore, the orthodontist will conduct a biopsy when there is a severely affected tissue.

TREATMENT

If the dentist suspects that you have periodontal disease, he/she will begin with a thorough and deep dental cleaning. 

For gingivitis disease, a skilled dental cleaning will pull out the plaque and tartar around the teeth to heal the gums.

For gum recession, the dentist will use gum graft, a technique that involves surgically grafting tissues from another portion of the mouth.

For gum abscess, the dentist uses a scaling and root planing procedure to remove the dirt, diseased tissue, and any pus. 

Furthermore, medications like antimicrobial mouthwashes and oral antibiotics can help in treating gum problems.