Gum Disease Treatment
Gum Disease Is Harmful to Your Health and Teeth
It’s essential to know how harmful gum disease is to your health and smile. Infected gums are the number one reason for tooth loss. This bacterial infection has been connected to other effects on your health. Common symptoms are shifting teeth or bleeding gums while brushing. There may be no signs until the problem is advanced and severe. This may mean surgery to keep your teeth. During the earlier stages of the infection, nonsurgical methods work very well to reverse the problem, so we advise, at the first signs of infection, to come into our office.
Other Health Problems from Gum Disease
Medical research has linked gum disease to life-threatening health problems such as stroke, heart disease, and diabetes. Dentists are very concerned about this bacterial infection that travels through the bloodstream and affects vital organs to initiate or worsen other health problems. As the American Dental Association has estimated that over three-quarters of the adult population suffers from gum infections, this problem has reached a percentage that can qualify as a national epidemic.
Additionally, the American Academy of Periodontology reports that “Studies found periodontal infection may contribute to the development of heart disease, increase the risk of premature, underweight births, and pose a serious threat to people whose health is already compromised due to diabetes and respiratory diseases.”
The Importance of Seeking Early Treatment for Gum Disease
Seeking treatment at the first signs of infected gums means surgery can often be avoided. There are nonsurgical options proven to work painlessly and effectively to return the gums to a healthy state. If you wait until the problem is severe, surgery may be the only solution. Most dental insurance plans have provisions for both options.
Even One Missing Tooth Can Cause Problems
A missing tooth is a concern because it can escalate into other problems. Even one missing tooth can affect the surrounding teeth to loosen or shift. The more teeth you have missing, the more it interferes with your chewing capabilities, which may mean you absorb fewer nutrients from your meals. Not having a full smile can give you an aged look, and the resultant bone loss allows facial sagging to make you look older than you are. Speaking can be embarrassing when pronunciation isn’t clear. Weight gain can result when softer, easier-to-eat foods are consumed more often.
We recommend dental implants for every missing tooth, no matter where the gap is. They look just like real teeth and let you chew every type of food without worry. Once again, you will get the most nutrition from your meals and be able to smile with confidence.
We can help arrest your gum disease and bring your smile back to health. Give us a call today at (601)-921-4064.