Many people have heard the term gum disease- it gets thrown around a lot and there is barely an advertisement for mouthwash or toothpaste that doesn’t mention this condition. But while most people have heard of it they do not relay understand what it is. It is important that people are told about this condition and that they know understanding the dangers of gum disease is important to maintaining their overall health and wellness. Here are some gum care facts and tips our team here at Comfort Care Family Dental want you to know:
What Are The Dangers Of Gum Disease?
- Gum disease is the common layman’s term used for the medical condition that is known as periodontal disease- they both refer to the same serious issue.
- Almost everyone alive will experience some form of gum disease during their life and understanding the dangers of gum disease is vital to regaining health.
- Early gum disease commonly is known as gingivitis and usually is caused by not cleaning properly and not getting local care for periodontal disease often enough.
- Plaque is a breeding ground for bacteria and if they are not removed from the teeth regularly, the bacteria grow will damage the gums, causing gum disease.
- Early gum disease is relatively easy to treat and usually, all that is needed is a few months of more advanced dental cleaning and daily care to clear things up.
- More advanced gum problems have the name periodontitis which means the bacterial infection has spared dipinto the gums and inflammation is chronic.
- Gums and bone can be infected and this leads to bone loss and tooth loss. Surprisingly this advancement usually happens with little to no pain!
- Periodontitis is pretty common and someone over the age of 30 has a 1 in 3 chance of developing some form of gum disease within the next year.
- Smoking is believed to be the cause for about half of all cases of gum disease in adults and makes local care for periodontal disease all the more critical.
- Patients with diabetes or other chronic health issues such as HIV, Lupus, Heart conditions, or cancer are at a higher risk for gum disease.
- Gum disease has been linked to heart disease, infections, respiratory disease, compromised immune system, blood pressure issues, low birth weight, and other serious health issues.
- Understanding the dangers of gum disease is the most important thing someone can do to preserve their health and local care for periodontal disease is critical!
- As mentioned above, most gum disease doesn’t hurt, so it is important to keep dental appointments so they can look for early warning signs of problems.
Signs to look out for periodontal disease:
- Gum redness and swelling: Many people overlook this first symptom because they give little thought to their gums and don’t really look at hem closely until something hurts or goes wrong.
- Bleeding: When gums are healthy normal brushing and flossing should not make them bleed. This is one of the first signs people notice but tend to brush off as no big deal until things progress to an advanced level.
- Loose or shifting teeth: Teeth begin to get loos as the gums and bone that anchor them in place are damaged, and when teeth start to shift out of place it is a sign that there may be serious gum problems.
- “Flappy gums”: Advanced gum disease causes the gums to pull away from the teeth and is a sign that local care for periodontal disease is definitely needed to save remaining gum structure and teeth.
- Bad breath: Everyone gets bad breath from time to time, but chronic bad breath or bad breath that is accompanied by odd tastes may indicate a problem which is why knowing the signs of gum disease is important.
It is easy to see why understanding the dangers of gum disease is so important to protecting overall health and if you are looking for a team to provide quality local care for periodontal disease then you have come to the right place. Come by and see us or give us a call to set up your consultation today!
Comfort Care Family Dental P.C.
1001 E Chicago Ave #143, Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 369-0111
https://www.comfortcaredentists.com
