How Serious Is Periodontal Disease?
If your gums are inflamed and sore, your mouth is trying to tell you there’s a problem. You may have gingivitis, the early stage of periodontal disease. This condition can proceed from bad to worse if left untreated, so you should seek periodontal treatment right away.
What is periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease is an inflammation of your gums that makes them tender and sore. If you do nothing when you have gingivitis, the condition morphs into periodontitis, the advanced stage of the disease. The gums eventually recede and pull away from the tooth, loosening it from its foundation. The result is tooth loss. You may not realize that your oral health affects your overall health.
A gap from a missing tooth or teeth increases the chance of an infection, which can spread throughout your body. Bacteria in your gums from periodontitis can travel in your bloodstream to other organs, where it can lead to such problems as heart disease and sepsis.
Bacteria from the food you eat builds up on teeth and forms a hard substance called plaque between your gums and teeth. If it’s not removed through careful dental hygiene and regular professional dental cleanings, plaque causes gum infections.
In the earliest stages, periodontal disease is called gingivitis, and it causes tender, swollen gums that may bleed. Gingivitis can be reversed. In later stages, periodontal disease can cause your gums to pull away from your teeth and your teeth may even fall out.
How did you get Periodontal Disease?
As you can imagine, your mouth is teeming with bacteria. Brushing twice a day, flossing your teeth, and having dental checkups twice a year are the foundation of good oral health that keep the bacteria at bay.
Perhaps you’ve been under stress and have skipped brushing or flossing regularly. Poor oral hygiene is one of the major reasons for periodontal disease.
Other factors contribute as well, including:
- Genetics
- Smoking (toxins in smoke cause bacteria to cling to your teeth)
- Medications
- A compromised immune system or an illness
- Hormonal fluctuations during menopause, puberty, menstruation, and pregnancy
The Chronic Disease — Periodontal Disease connection
Researchers have found associations between some cardiovascular issues and periodontal disease, possibly due to the chronic inflammation caused by periodontal disease. The bacteria in your mouth can make you more susceptible to heart disease, arterial blockages, and stroke.
There is also a link between type 2 diabetes and gum disease and it seems that having one makes the other more difficult to control. If you have diabetes, you may not be able to fight off infection as well, and the infection may make it more difficult to control your blood sugar.
Another chronic condition that seems to be associated with periodontal disease is rheumatoid arthritis. This form of arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that affects your joints.
Periodontal disease can increase the likelihood of an early delivery for pregnant women. Having gum disease means that your baby is at a higher risk of being born preterm and having a low birth weight.
Prevention
Excellent at-home dental hygiene combined with regular visits with Dr. Vilderman is the best defense against developing periodontal disease.
However, if you do have periodontal disease, there are treatments to help. A deep cleaning called scaling and root planing removes plaque from between your gums and your teeth, which allows your gums to reattach to your teeth. In more advanced cases, Dr. Vilderman may recommend periodontal surgery.