Is Gum Disease Life Threatening?
Dental hygiene is not only important for your dental health but also for your overall health. This is why the dentist in Coppell, TX recommends brushing twice daily and flossing at least once daily. On top of that, regular dental checkups are also important as the dentist can identify any dental issue that can become detrimental in the future. Failure to follow the recommendations mentioned earlier can cause some dental issues. One of them is gum disease.
There are a lot of issues when it comes to gum disease, as it can cause negative effects on your teeth. In addition, delayed treatment can impact your body negatively, and we will help answer whether or not gum disease is life-threatening.
Signs and Symptoms of Gum Disease
Gum disease, also known as periodontitis, starts with bacterial growth in your mouth, caused by the remains of food particles between your teeth.
When you don’t brush your teeth daily, a sticky film of bacteria builds up in your mouth, and the bacteria releases acid that erodes your enamel, and this causes decay. In addition, if you do not brush your teeth well and this plaque remains between your teeth, the plaque hardens and becomes tartar. The tartar will form along your gum line, making it challenging to clean your gums and teeth.
Gingivitis is caused by the tartar left in your teeth, creating irritation and inflammation of your gums. This is one of the first signs of gum disease,
Besides inflamed gums, you can notice that your gums bleed during brushing. On top of that, if you do not go for gum disease treatment in Coppell, TX, your teeth begin to loosen or shift. This is when the bacteria invade your gums, making the gum line lose and incapable of holding your teeth in place.
Gum disease also leads to the formation of deep pockets between teeth and gums. These deep pockets can affect the way you bite down food. The deep pockets can also make the partial dentures not fit well.
Healthy gums are firm and pink. Gum disease affects the color of your gums as they start to look red. In addition, the longer the tartar and plaque remain on your teeth, the more they irritate your gum base, and this causes inflammation.
What Happens If Gum Disease Goes Untreated?
It is easy to ignore the first symptoms of gum disease. But, sadly, if you do not look for periodontitis treatment in Coppell, TX, gum disease can become more serious. Delayed treatment can lead to mouth sores, chronic bad breath, sensitive teeth, and eventual tooth loss.
On top of that, progressive gum disease has been associated with other health complications. These health issues include stroke, diabetes, and heart disease.
Inflammation can become chronic when your body begins to attack healthy cells. This is why heart disease is linked with gum disease. This is because the inflammation in your mouth directly affects inflammation in your heart.
Research has shown that gum disease treatment has led to decreased blood pressure in some patients, which is a good sign.
Sugar creates a good habitat for bacteria. High blood sugar levels assist the bacteria in your mouth in attacking your gums and teeth, leading to gingivitis. By contrast, periodontitis increases blood sugar levels, making you susceptible to Type 2 diabetes.
Some other health concerns of untreated gum disease are asthma and pneumonia. Chronic inflammation in your gums caused by gum disease activates the immune system, which causes body-wide inflammation, and your lungs and airways are not spared as they become inflamed making it hard for you to breath.
How to Prevent Gum Disease?
Practicing good habits is a sure way of keeping gum disease at bay. First, brushing twice daily and flossing at least once will prevent plaque buildup.
In addition, a healthy balanced diet is also important. This will keep your gums and teeth in good condition.
Generally, smoking is not advised as it has negative effects on your oral health. Therefore, staying away from smoking will keep your teeth free from dental plaque.
Visit our dentist near Coppell, tx, at Compassion Smiles Dentistry, for regular dental exams and cleaning is important. Your toothbrush cannot reach those deep crevices in your teeth. Going for regular cleanings is imperative in removing the tartar that causes gum disease.