Gum disease is a very serious concern that affects thousands of people each year. In addition to causing bad breath and severe pain, it can lead to teeth shifting and eventually falling out. Gum disease occurs as the result of a chronic bacteria infection that starts in the gum area. It is very important for anyone suffering from any type of disease of the gums to seek treatment from a qualified dentist. The sooner treatment is started the less damage will be done.

The most common symptom of disease is areas that are swollen, red, and inflamed. They are often sore to the touch and the area hurts when you brush your teeth. The gums often bleed during brushing and when you eat hard foods. If you don't get treatment the plaque will continue to move further into the gum lines. It will eventually cause the teeth to decay, get loose, and fall out.

There is a very serious risk of infection from gum disease that you need to be aware of. As the disease progresses pockets form between the teeth. These locations are often the sites where gum disease occurs.

There are several causes of disease in addition to not brushing your teeth properly. The culprit responsible for disease in the gums is plaque, but even those individuals who brush properly can develop problems. Individuals who smoke or use other tobacco products have the highest risk of this disease.

It can also be heredity in about 1/3 of cases. There are many new procedures in dental care for those who have a high risk of gum disease because their parents or other family members have dealt with it. For such individuals, preventative care is very important as well as regular checkups. Their dentist may ask them to come in for cleanings and evaluations every three months instead of the normal six month span.

Changes that take place in the body can cause a person to suffer from gum disease. Young men and women sometimes experience it as they progress into puberty. Women are especially at risk of gum disease during pregnancy due to all the changes in the body. With each subsequent pregnancy, a women has a higher risk of gum disease. Women also have problems with this disease as they deal with menopause.

Men also have to worry about this disease. Stress is a high factor that can lead to gum disease and both men and women in our society have plenty of stress to contend with. This is because the body has less of a defense mechanism against infections and germs when the individual is under stress.

We also live in a society where most of us don't eat a balanced diet. Too much sugary foods and too much time in between brushing the plaque off of teeth is the perfect combination for gum disease to occur. Individuals who are undernourished can also suffer from gum disease.

Medical illnesses can cause the body to not be able to get rid of the bacteria that causes plaque to build up. The most common one is diabetes. While there are medications to control such illnesses and diseases, sometimes it is the medication that leads to the gum disease.

Don't ignore issues of concern in your mouth. You don't want to deal with the pain of gum disease as it progresses. You also don't want to lose your teeth because you didn't get treatment for your gums. There are some very good options available to treat and eliminate gum disease. Your dentist can help you determine the level of gum disease you have and discuss your treatment options.