Austin Family Dental

Gum Disease and Gingivitis What is Gum Disease? Periodontal disease is also known as Gum Disease and is defined as: Peri- meaning around - dontal meaning tooth Disease is any damage or injury that impairs an organism's function What Causes Gum Disease and Gingivitis?  The tissues and supporting bone around a tooth may be attacked by specific bacteria , this can cause the teeth t o become loose and cause tooth loss, t he bacteria cause a gum infection. The specific bacteria that cause Gum Disease, Gingivitis, and Periodontal Disease are Anaerobic bacteria.   This means that they can only survive in an environment without oxygen . 3. How to Prevent This is why flossing and brushing your teeth daily is important, so you can remove the debris, disrupt the biofilm forming, and allow oxygen to reach the pockets between your gums and teeth. 3. Warning Signs of Gum Disease Gums that bleed when you brush your teeth Red, swollen and tending gum

What is Causing my Cavities? Specific bacteria  such as Streptococcus mutans cause cavities.  These bacteria are  aerobic  meaning they require oxygen to survive; having a  ​ dry mouth increases the chance for cavities.  Cavity causing bacteria are different than the bacteria that cause gum disease, which lives in an anaerobic environment.  Both of these bacteria can be  passed from person to person.   Plaque  is also known as Biofilm.  A microbial biofilm is a layer of prokaryotic organisms which adhere to a surface and are coated with a polysaccharide layer.  ​The biofilm increases the prokaryotic cells survival through increased defense, availability of nutrients, cellular communication, and the ability to transfer genetic material to each other. A polysaccharide is composed of more than one sugar molecule.  Carbohydrates, Starch, Cellulose, and Glycogen are polysaccharides. How the cavity is formed ​ Underneath the plaque, the bacteria produce  acids  as a by-pr