Types of Gum Infections

You can always hope it doesn't happen to you, but gum infections can set in on the best dental patients in the world. Sometimes it doesn't matter how much you brush, and floss, it still gets a hold. There are various types of gum infections and some are easier to get rid of than others. The key component to healthy gums and teeth has always been and always will be good dental hygiene practices. With that said, here are a few different types of infections that you should be aware of.

• irritated gums
• cavities and abscesses
• gum disease

In the case of irritated gums, there are a number of things that could have caused the damage. It isn't unusual for tiny food particles to work their way up into the gums and get lodged in between the teeth and gums. The longer it sits in there, the more irritated and painful the area gets. In order to correct that problem, the dentist will need to flush the offending article out and more than likely treat with an antibiotic. The gums can also become irritated from an outside trauma or injury that occurs during a dental procedure.

Cavities aren't usually considered gum infections unless they are left untreated for too long and the gums are damaged. When that happens it is referred to as an abscess. As anyone who has ever had one can tell you, abscesses are seriously painful and seriously unpleasant. Your dentist will prescribe an antibiotic to clear up the infection before he or she will be able to perform any other procedures.

The most common form of gum infection is gingivitis and one of the worst is periodontal disease or some call it pyorrhea. Gingivitis is the disease that is the result of an over abundance of a certain type of bacteria. It attacks the soft tissue of the mouth and creates sometimes large pockets of infection. There are methods for reversing gum disease. It will depend on how severe the case is as to which procedure will be best for you. In order to stop the gum disease, the dentist will first have to remove all of the infection and then choose which method is best. The most common procedures are pocket reduction and gum regeneration.

All of the gum infections can be successfully treated. The best course of action is to take good care of your oral health and avoid infection in the first place. OraMD can help you keep your mouth healthy naturally.