How Does Gum Disease Impact My Health?
March 9, 2021
According to the Centers for Disease Control, half of people in the United States 30 and older suffer from gum disease. Unless prevented or managed properly this could be a recipe for discomfort or even tooth loss. In today’s blog, your Kansas City, MO, dentist talks about preventing and treating gum disease, and the potential impacts of the disease.
Causes and Warning Signs
The disease develops when the gums pull away from the teeth and form deep pockets, which harmful bacteria enter to cause periodontal disease. The pockets form due to inflammation, also known as gingivitis, which grows more severe with time. Inflammation could be caused by the use of certain medications, inflammatory illnesses, tobacco use, a family history of periodontal issues, or lack or proper oral hygiene, which could mean worsening plaque buildup. The early stages see the gums become redder and feel sore. Over time, they could begin to bleed easily. If this occurs, let us know right away!
Immediate and Long-Term Health Impacts
Gingivitis can be reversed, but once gum disease develops you need care to manage it as there is no cure. However, unless managed with care at more and in our office, the disease could reach the periodontitis stage, at which point adult tooth loss occurs. The disease could then increase the risk of associated inflammatory issues, such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and more. To preserve your smile and protect your overall oral health, you need to seek treatment!
Prevention and Treatment
To control inflammation and prevent the disease, you need to brush and floss daily to remove stray food particles that could otherwise feed harmful bacteria and lead to worsening inflammation. Try to avoid tobacco products too, and cut back on sugary and starchy foods and drinks, as this could feed harmful bacteria. At our office, we could use a scaling and root planing to remove plaque and tartar for the teeth and roots, which reverses gingivitis and allows us to begin managing gum disease with regular cleanings every three to four months. For more severe cases, we could discuss options to remove diseased tissues from your gums or reduce the depth of periodontal pockets. If you have any questions about preventing issues like periodontal disease, or about treatment if you have sore, red, and bleeding gums, then please contact our team today to learn more.
Let’s Preserve Your Gum Health
With good periodontal health, you enjoy a comfortable and whole smile for years to come. To learn more about our preventive and general dental care options to address dental disease and other oral health concerns, then schedule a consultation by calling Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry of Kansas City, MO, today at 816-427-4018.