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Gum disease sounds like something that only old people get, or perhaps people who are forever eating candy and other sweet things. In fact, any of us can experience gum disease.

Gum disease is an infection in the tissue that holds your teeth in place. It begins as an infection and can waste away the gum tissue, causing your teeth to loosen, and even to fall out. It can eventually damage the underlying bones in your gums.

Adults are more likely to experience gum diseases, especially once over the age of around 30 or 40. However, it is in part a hereditary disease and in part a result of lifestyle habits. That means almost anyone is at risk of getting an infection in their gums unless proper care is taken. For more information refer to Painless Dentistry

The main lifestyle risks are habits like smoking and chewing tobacco, which not only make your gums more susceptible to infection but hamper attempts to cure the problem.

Under some circumstances, women and girls may be more at risk, mainly because or hormonal changes during menstruation and pregnancy, which can make the gums more sensitive and open to infection. Pregnant women with gum diseases are more likely to give birth prematurely.

There does appear to be a hereditary cause for gum disease, in that it can run in families – but lifestyle habits can also run in families. For more information refer to Dentistry Sandton

In most cases, though, gum infections arrive simply through poor care of the teeth, and any one of us, at any age, is at risk through not cleaning our teeth regularly and properly. As dentists keep reminding us, teeth maintenance is very important.

Teeth should be brushed with a soft toothbrush at least twice a day after meals. Daily floss helps to remove plaque from building up between the teeth. It is also good practice to give your gums a daily massage with your fingers. Dentists recommend having your teeth cleaned by a dentist or dental hygienist every six months or so to clear any tarter, or hardened plaque, remove stains and to check for any other issues.

The risk of infections in the mouth is also reduced with a good balanced diet, including the vitamins and antioxidants we need in our nutrition to keep disease at bay. Good sleep and managing stress are further important ways to reduce susceptibility to infection.

Mouth infections may seem like an isolated issue, but in fact any infection in any part of the body can detract from your general health and well being. Your immunity to incurring other infections can be reduced, so gum diseases can lead on to a general deterioration in your health. This is another reason why everyone should make sure they properly maintain their teeth.

Gum diseases appear first as an inflammation caused by bacteria growing in the plaque and mucus build up around the base of the teeth, and is more likely to develop if the plaque is left to harden as tarter. Inflammation of the gums is known as gingivitis, and shows up as swelling, tenderness, a bright pink or red color and bleeding, especially if pressure is applied to the gum. For more information visit Dentistry Johannesburg

Early signs of gingivitis will usually disappear in a day or two with close attention to cleaning the teeth, and perhaps using an antiseptic mouth wash. Professional care should be sought if the symptoms persist. If the infection is allowed to take a hold your teeth may eventually loosen and bad breath will be added to the symptoms. This advanced form of gum disease when the tissues soften is known as periodontitis. Your dentist may have to prescribe medications as the treatment.

The common problem of gum disease is easy to prevent by making regular teeth care habits a part of your daily routine.