When thinking about preventing tooth loss, you might think of keeping your teeth healthy and preventing from getting cavities. However, a much more painful way to lose teeth is by getting gum diseases.

1. The Difference between Gingivitis and Periodontitis
When you think of preventing teeth loss, you probably think of keeping your teeth healthy, and
preventing them from getting cavities. However, a much more painful way to lose those teeth would be
by not protecting yourself from getting gum diseases.
Gingivitis and Periodontitis
There are two main gum diseases, gingivitis and
periodontitis. Many people confuse the two, or think they
are the same. However, there are major differences that
separate the two, one with consequences that are much
more severe than the other.
It is important to understand that if you are not taking good
care of your teeth and gums by consistently brush and
flossing every crevice of your teeth, you may build up plaque
that will lead to gingivitis. If your gums bleed when you brush your teeth lightly, they are extra sensitive
and you may have gingivitis. There has as of yet not been any serious damage to the tooth bones that is
not reversible.
Periodontitis comes from advanced cases of gingivitis, but not every case of gingivitis advances that far.
If it does, your gums will begin to recede. Once you have reached this stage, the domino effect begins:
first your gums recede, then you lose bone support, which leads to the loss of the tooth itself.
It Can Be Prevented
As hopeless as this may sound, you still have a chance to prevent it. As soon as you realize that your
gums are receding and find out what is causing it, you can begin the process of halting it. One of the
most common causes of receding gums is grinding your teeth. Some people are aware that they do it,
and some may only be aware because of a dull headache they wake up with in the morning.
It can be difficult to break a habit such as grinding your teeth, especially if you are doing it while you are
less than conscious. But when teeth have pressure put on them from being ground together, they tend
to flex at the gum, which only makes your problems worse.
There are other ways that these problems could start and progress as well, such as illnesses,
medications, or hormonal changes. It may even be because your family has a history of it and you are
just prone to it. Whatever the reason, it can be stopped by taking care of your gums while you are
brushing your teeth.
Visit Your Local Dentist in Draper
Visit your local Draper dentist today to determine whether or not you have gingivitis, periodontitis, or
receding gums. They can help you decide how to handle the situation best, how to prevent it from

2. getting worse, how to reverse the damage and bring your gums back to full health, and how to keep
them that way.
Protecting your teeth from plaque build-up can prevent serious gum diseases that can lead to serious
consequences, such as teeth loss. As long as you develop a daily habit to brush and floss your teeth, you
should have no problem protecting yourself from the dangers of gum disease.
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