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What is Gingivitis? Explained by Crest


What is Gum Disease?

Gum disease begins when a film called plaque accumulates on the teeth. Certain strains of bacteria that live in this plaque feed on gum tissue and bone. Your body tries to fight this infection with an inflammatory assault, sending white blood cells to the area to destroy the bacteria. This inflammation causes the tissue to bleed easily when you brush or floss. This stage of the condition is called gingivitis. If the infection and inflammation persist, what results is a chronic inflammatory condition in which the gums and bone around the teeth are slowly destroyed, many times with no awareness or symptoms. At this stage, it is called periodontis. The biggest risk factors are ineffective home care and smoking. Periodontitis has been linked to an increased risk for heart disease, diabetes, and other serious medical conditions. In short, healthy gums are the gateway to a healthier body.

Options and Alternatives

Gingivitis can be reversed with regular professional cleanings, and excellent home care including daily flossing. It is also important to eat healthy foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables. These types of foods have important anti-oxidants and phytonutrients your body needs to remain healthy. Once your condition has progressed to periodontitis, surgical intervention is usually necessary to eliminate the deep pockets which develop between the teeth and gums. If these pockets persist, they become excellent "priviliged sites" for bacteria to organize colonies. Traditional surgery involves cutting away some of the gum tissue, and reshaping the bone underneath. LANAP is a progressive technique using a specialized laser to destroy the bacteria which cause disease, and alter the tissue so that it has the opportunity to heal. The use of the laser is less invasive than traditional scalpel surgery, and results in a much faster and less painful recovery.

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