If you've ever watched commercials trying to sell you different brands of toothpaste or toothbrushes then you have likely heard a little bit about the dangers of gum disease. This is something your dental professionals will certainly be warning you about at your next appointment and is one of the main reasons that you want to make sure taking care of your teeth and mouth is part of your everyday routine. But, when it comes to the actual symptoms and causes of different kinds of gum diseases you might not know a whole lot. Here are the most common issues that you should be aware of and how serious they might be to your overall health.

The form of gum disease that most people have heard of before is gingivitis. This is a mild form of periodontal disease and means that the gums become red and swollen and that they bleed easily. You might know someone at home or at work who has this and simply thinks that they have sensitive teeth. It is reversible and will go away if the person who has it starts taking better care of their teeth and gums.

If gingivitis is not treated then it can spread into something much more serious. Periodontitis occurs when plague is able to get below the gum line. This irritates the gums and breaks down the material between the teeth and the gums. If your dentist sees this then they will likely see pockets between the gums and the teeth that can become infected. Sometimes cases become so severe before they are treated that the teeth become loose and need to be removed. There are several different kinds of Periodontitis that a person might have and if you feel that one might be affecting you then you should get to your local dentist as soon as possible.

There are millions of Americans that are currently living with some form of gum disease. What you want to make sure you understand is that this can be a symptom of something greater as well as a problem all of its own. If you had a relatively minor issue with your eye you would still make an appointment to see your optometrist and you should be this careful with what is going on in your mouth. If you think you might be on the road to gum disease you should reverse that path as soon as possible. There are treatments that you can do at home to improve your oral health and those that you dentist can do within a standard appointment when you go to see them.