Consequences of Gum Disease Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is a condition that occurs when an oral infection affects the area around the soft tissues of your teeth and the gums. Mild infection of the mouth, called gingivitis, is one of the most common signs of gum disease. This occurs when a bacterial infection containing toxins begins to affect the gums and cause them to be inflamed. If not taken care of at an early stage, the infection can move more into the pockets of the gum disease and become more difficult to treat. Gum disease is progressive and can lead to the advanced decay of the tissue that connects the jawbone, the roots of your teeth, and the crown. So, if gum disease is left unattended, it can get much more severe and can contribute to the loss of your teeth, and ultimately the loss of your entire jawbone structure. If you believe that you have any symptoms of gum disease, then you should immediately get in touch with us at Mission Hills Periodontics so we can help you and your mouth to stay healthy. What are the Consequences?There are some very unpleasant consequences that gum disease can lead to, including bleeding gums when brushing, bad breath with a consistent foul taste in the mouth, high sensitivity to hot or cold, and even the inability to eat certain food items. With continual neglect, these issues can develop into something much more severe with problems like shifting teeth, possible changes in speech and bite, and eventually, your teeth might just start falling out. Furthermore, periodontal disease can directly reflect and affect the rest of your body and overall health, and it is directly linked to heart disease and pneumonia. The Causes and TypesMany factors could contribute to the development of gum disease, some of which are: poor dental health and hygiene habits, smoking, and diabetes. No matter what may have been the cause, early treatment is the most important thing to do to contain and get rid of it. There are four types of gum disease. The most common type of gum disease is called periodontitis, and this is when the inflammation of your mouth and the soft tissues that support the teeth causes pockets to form in your gums. This can also cause the gums to recede making your teeth look long. The second type of gum disease is aggressive periodontitis, where a person with healthy teeth can suddenly start losing their teeth and gum structure. This is extremely uncommon but requires an urgent visit to our office if it happens to you. The third type is called necrotizing periodontitis and is also very uncommon. It is seen in patients who have common illnesses and conditions, such as immunosuppression and malnutrition. The fourth type begins at an early age and is often part of a larger problem or common disease. All of this can be avoided by simply taking care of your oral health and visiting our office at least twice a year. If you would like to make an appointment with us or learn more about gum disease and how to avoid it, please feel free to reach out to us at Mission Hills Periodontics by calling (619) 356-5989 today. |
