Gumdrops? Nice.
Sugarless chewing gum? Also nice.
Gum disease? Naughty.
Our lists may not look the same as Santa’s, but gum disease is near the top of our naughty side. We’ll explain why in a moment. For now, we want you to know that Edgewood Dental Care is ready to work harder than a team of reindeer to get rid of your periodontal problems as soon as possible.
To plan a visit to our Edgewood, KY dentist office, either contact us online or call 859-474-7830.
Reasons Gum Disease Is Bad
We aren’t going to try to list every reason we don’t like gum disease. We do want to highlight some key reasons you should do everything you can to fight it, however.
Gum disease could cost you your smile.
Did you know that gum disease causes more tooth loss than cavities and accidents? Periodontal disease is the leading cause of lost teeth in the United States.
But it doesn’t have to be that way. Loose teeth are usually a symptom of advanced gum disease, which means you have time to recognize the problem and get help before it reaches this stage.
Red, swollen gums and gums that bleed when you brush or floss are the early symptoms of gingivitis, the mild form of gum disease. If you take action at this stage, you have a much better chance of avoiding the problems that come later.
Gum disease causes bad breath.
To be a little more technical, bacteria that cause gum disease also cause bad breath. Gum disease develops when bacteria are not removed by daily brushing and flossing. As bacteria grow and multiply, they form plaque, which can lead to gum infections (and tooth decay, too).
The more bacteria you have, the more that bad smell or bad taste will linger in your mouth.
Getting treatment for gum disease could help cure your bad breath, too.
Gum disease has been linked to other health problems.
Where do we begin? Let’s start with your heart.
Untreated gum disease can allow bacteria to enter your bloodstream. This could explain why the same bacteria has been linked with heart and cardiovascular disease.
Gum disease also is more common in people with diabetes. This may be a two-way street. Diabetes can increase your risk of dry mouth, which raises your risk of periodontal disease. In turn, having gum disease can make it more difficult to control your blood sugar levels.
We could keep going, but you get the picture. Gum disease is bad for your oral health, and it can be bad for your overall health, too.
Signs Of Gum Disease
We already mentioned the symptoms of mild gum disease (gingivitis). Gums that look red or swollen and gums that bleed when you brush or floss are early signs that your gums are infected.
At this point, you may be able to reverse your condition by doing the things you should be doing to prevent gum disease in the first place. Brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time. It’s essential that you clean your teeth on all sides and brush your tongue to remove as many bacteria as you can.
It’s equally important that you floss or use another interdental cleaner (such as a water flosser) every day. Your toothbrush can’t reach certain places between your teeth and gums. Flossing is how you remove bacteria, plaque, and food particles from those spaces.
As gum disease gets worse, you may notice new problems.
- Your gums may start bleeding at other times.
- Your gums may start to feel sore or tender.
- You (or other people) may become aware of your constant bad breath.
- Your gums may start to recede or pull away from your teeth.
And in time, your teeth may begin to feel loose or fall out.
Again, we hope you won’t like your gum disease progress to this point. If you notice any of these symptoms, we urge you to contact Edgewood Dental Care for treatment as soon as you are able.
We can remove your infection effectively and painlessly with a combination of laser and sedation dentistry. Our laser allows us to treat even advanced gum disease without surgery. Our sedation options give you assurance that you won’t feel pain during your treatment.
Be Nice To Your Smile
Be good to your gums all year, and you just might keep your nice smile for a long, long time. We can help, but only if you make regular visits to our Edgewood, KY dentist office.
Preventing gum disease should include dental cleanings and exams. To schedule your next one, call 859-474-7830 or contact us online.