Enjoy Optimal Oral Health
An estimated 75% of Americans have some form of gum disease which can be linked to serious health complications and causes dental problems that are avoidable. The daily task of brushing and flossing your teeth has never been more important in order to avoid gum disease and reduce the risks that it places on your overall health, than it is today. Gum disease has been found to be associated with a heightened risk of several significant health complications. These include heart disease, stroke, pancreatic cancer, premature birth or low birth weight in babies, memory loss or dementia, and diabetes. Maintaining good oral hygiene and seeking timely dental care can play a crucial role in reducing the risk of these serious health conditions.
Symptoms of Poor Oral Health
- Bleeding gums
- Pus around a tooth
- Gum Recession
- Inflammation of the gums
- Swollen or red gums
Stages of Gum Disease
Stage 1: Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the earliest stage and is caused by plaque and bacterial buildup around the gum line. If you neglect to brush or floss your teeth daily, these bacteria can grow and cause the disease. Gingivitis causes inflammation of the gums. Gums that should otherwise be pink will appear red and swollen and you might experience bleeding when you brush or floss. However, at this point, gingivitis can still be reversed since the bone and fibers that hold your teeth in place have not yet been affected. The gum tissues heal once the irritants have been removed from the teeth and gums, thus eliminating gingivitis.
Stage 2: Periodontitis
If gingivitis is left untreated, the condition can progress to periodontitis. At this stage, the supporting bone and fibers that hold your teeth in place have been irreversibly damaged. The spaces between your teeth and gums begin to form “pockets,” which are deep hollow areas around the teeth that trap plaque and bacteria. These deeper pockets allow plaque, bacteria, and tartar to accumulate, destroying the structures that support the teeth. Your gums may recede and form gaps between your teeth. Visiting a doctor for immediate gum disease treatment is necessary to prevent further damage and tooth loss.
Stage 3: Advanced Periodontitis
In this final stage, periodontitis has progressed and become advanced periodontitis. Bacteria that was allowed to grow, spread, and cause destruction has destroyed the connective tissues and bone that support the teeth. The pockets that formed in the previous stage have become much deeper. Your teeth can shift or become loose. Loose teeth that move around in your mouth may affect your bite. At this stage, seeing a doctor for gum disease treatment is needed to save the teeth.
Periodontal Disease Can Cause Tooth Loss
If you notice your teeth are moving or shifting in any way, you may have gum disease that needs to be treated right away. Shifting teeth are a sign of advanced periodontal disease and should not be ignored. When teeth start to move and become loose because of deteriorating bone, the risk of tooth loss is very high. Some of the common causes of loose teeth include: periodontal disease, trauma or injury to the mouth, or health problems that are affecting the jaw bone. You could be experiencing loose teeth if you’re beginning to notice the presence of pus around the gums, bleeding gums, food getting stuck in spaces between teeth, receding gums, or swollen gums.
