While it is common to experience some degree of gum disease, it is imperative that it is treated by your dental provider. Gum Disease or periodontal disease begins with a build-up of plaque, which is bacterial growth between teeth and along the gum-line and if left untreated, is the most common cause of tooth loss among adults in the US. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that over 50% of Americans over the age of 30 live with Gum Disease, it is a dental and medical condition that is easily preventable.
Why is it so important to treat gum disease?
Bad Breath
The first sign of an issue is likely to be bad breath, and this stage is called Gingivitis. Regular brushing is not enough to get rid of plaque and prevent Gum Disease; you must floss to remove the debris that can accumulate and harden, causing tooth loss and advanced Periodontal Disease. If you notice sores in your mouth or along the gum-line, call your dentist promptly.
Discomfort
The inflammation associated with Gum Disease is what causes a lot of the pain and discomfort suffered. The condition affects not only the teeth and gums, but the jaw, bone, and muscles that support your teeth, too. When plaque begins to harden, the gums will become red and sore as a response to being attacked by bacteria. As the disease advances, your gums become tender, you may bleed when flossing, or notice loose teeth.
Tooth Loss
Further progression of the disease is typically marked by receding gums which, over time, leads to tooth loss. The exact timeline for this varies, depending on genetics, dental history, and overall health condition. While it is not possible to reverse the impacts of this disease, like tooth loss, you can stop the progression and curb the damage done to your teeth with treatment.
Related Issues
If you think that the detriment of Gum Disease is isolated to your oral health, you would be wrong. Experts are studying a potential link between Gum Disease and co-occurring conditions, such as arthritis, heart disease, and diabetes, among patients. The common link between your teeth and these conditions is inflammation, which could cause complications and compromise your overall health and wellbeing.
Organ Failure
Scarier still is the fact that plaque is perfectly suited to traveling through the bloodstream to other major organs of the body, like the brain causing possible stroke, the heart potentially causing a heart attack or the lungs, which has the potential to be fatal. Don’t set yourself up for disaster; treat Gum Disease right away.
Are you one of over 64 million adults in the US that live with some form of Gum Disease? Don’t delay; seek treatment from your dental provider and begin repairing and caring for your teeth and gums today.
There are many reasons that make treatment for Gum Disease imperative. See your dentist in Mt Pleasant, SC, and schedule appointments to treat and restore your smile.
