The swelling of the gums is not a disease in itself; however it can be a symptom of an underlying ailment. Swollen gums occur due to the lack of dental and oral hygiene. In many people, after gingivitis first appears, it develops very slowly and may never lead to permanent bone loss or cause the gaps between the gum line and teeth that are seen in periodontitis. But for others, gingivitis may quickly turn into a serious dental disease. This is probably due to a combination of poor immune defenses and poor plaque removal. When plaque is found at or just below the gum line, it can trigger gum irritation. The bacteria that grow on plaque may continue to multiply if the immune system cannot protect the gum tissues from becoming inflamed. If, because of poor brushing and flossing, plaque is not removed, the condition will spread below the gum line and destroy the tissue connections and bone that support the tooth. This is the stage at which periodontitis develops.
Swollen Gums: The First Stage Of Gum Disease
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