williamandersonSummary:
Let’s discuss something that affects many people but doesn’t always get the attention it deserves: gum disease.
It’s easily one of the most ignored changes because gum disease starts as gingivitis, which feels like gum irritation. You might notice your gums are red or bleed when you brush, but it doesn’t seem like a big deal.
Unfortunately, if left untreated, it can turn into periodontitis, which is a much more severe condition.
According to the CDC, almost 50% of adults over 30 in the U.S. are affected by periodontal diseases. Thus, early detection and gum disease treatment are crucial. Effective early detection of gum disease can prevent more complex dental problems.
Therefore, in this blog, we take a closer look at the different aspects of gum disease via topics like:
- Understanding Advanced Gum Disease
- Causes of Gum Disease – What Causes Them?
- Risks Associated with Advanced Gum Disease
- Treatment Options
By the end, you’ll be well-equipped to keep your gums healthy and avoid some of the more serious issues associated with advanced gum disease. Let’s get started.
Understanding Advanced Gum Disease
Definition and Stages
Gum care is the most commonly overlooked aspect of oral health. While we follow all the steps to ensure a seamless smile, most people forget to care for their gums.
It starts as gingivitis, a mild inflammation of the gums. When you brush or floss, you might notice some redness, swelling, or even a bit of bleeding. It’s mostly caused by plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that forms on your teeth. When left untreated or unattended, gingivitis can become periodontitis, the more severe form of gum disease.
When gingivitis isn’t treated, it can progress to periodontitis, affecting the gums and the bones that support the teeth. It can not only affect your smile but also impact your overall oral health.
Causes of Gum Disease – What Causes Them?
Plaque is the primary culprit of gum disease. It’s a common byproduct of poor oral health.
When you don’t brush and floss properly, plaque builds up on your teeth. If not removed, it can harden into tartar, which is even harder to eliminate and acts as a breeding ground for more bacteria.
However, that’s not all! Here are a few other factors that can contribute to gum disease:
-
Poor Oral Hygiene:
Skipping, brushing, and flossing give plaque a free pass to hang around.
-
Smoking:
It’s bad for just about everything, including your gums.
-
Genetics:
Sometimes, genetics could be the reason behind the predisposition of your gum disease.
-
Hormonal Changes:
Pregnancy, menstruation, and menopause can make gums more sensitive.
-
Medications:
Some drugs reduce saliva flow, which can contribute to gum problems.
-
Chronic Diseases:
Conditions like diabetes can make you more susceptible.
Gum disease isn’t just a result of poor oral health! It’s linked to overall health. Studies suggest connections between gum disease and systemic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory issues. The inflammation in your gums can spread, contributing to inflammation throughout your body.
Now that we have an idea of gum disease let’s examine its more advanced stages in the following section.
Symptoms of Advanced Gum Disease
Common Signs
1. Bleeding Gums:
If your gums bleed when you brush or floss, it’s a red flag. Sure, it might seem normal, but it’s not. Healthy gums shouldn’t bleed that easily.
2. Persistent Bad Breath:
We’re not talking about morning breath here. This bad breath sticks around even after brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash. It’s usually a sign that bacteria are having a party in your mouth.
3. Loose Teeth:
If you notice your teeth feeling wobbly or moving around, it’s a serious sign that the supporting structures of your teeth are deteriorating.
4. Receding Gums:
When your gums start to pull back from your teeth, making them look longer than usual, it’s another sign of gum disease. You might also notice pockets forming between your teeth and gums.
5. Swollen or Tender Gums:
Puffy, swollen, or sore gums can indicate inflammation caused by bacteria buildup.
6. Pus:
If you notice pus between your teeth and gums, it indicates infection. See a dentist as soon as possible.
How Symptoms Progress from Mild to Advanced Stages
Gum disease doesn’t just pop up overnight. It starts mild and can sneakily progress to more severe stages if you’re not careful:
1. Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the early stage, where your gums might bleed a little and feel slightly irritated. It’s usually reversible with good oral hygiene and regular cleanings.
2. Periodontitis
If gingivitis isn’t treated, it can advance to periodontitis. Here, the inner layers of the gums and bone pull away from the teeth, creating pockets. These pockets can collect debris and become infected. As the disease advances, the pockets become deeper, leading to further destruction of gum tissue and bone.
3. Advanced Periodontitis
The final stage destroys the fibers and bone supporting your teeth. Teeth can become loose or fall out, and you might experience severe pain and discomfort.
Risks Associated with Advanced Gum Disease
Dental Complications
Advanced gum disease can seriously damage your oral health. Imagine dealing with tooth loss and gum recession, where your teeth look longer because the gums have pulled away. Not fun, right? Besides the apparent discomfort and aesthetic concerns, these issues can make eating and speaking a real challenge.
Gum disease has been linked to some pretty serious conditions like cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
Diagnosis and Assessment
Your dentist in Grants uses several different methods to check for gum disease. They might measure the depths of the pockets around your teeth with a probing tool or take X-rays to see what’s happening below the surface.
These comprehensive evaluations are crucial because they help create a targeted treatment plan to restore gum health.
Treatment Options for Advanced Gum Diseases
Non-surgical Treatment Options
The first line of defense often involves non-surgical treatments. Scaling and root planing, also known as deep cleaning, can help remove the plaque and tartar that cause gum disease. Your dentist might also recommend antibacterial mouth rinses or medications to help control the infection and reduce inflammation.
Other Surgical Options
Sometimes, non-surgical gum disease treatments aren’t enough! Surgery becomes a necessity if your gum disease has escalated to a point beyond medication.
This might include flap surgery, where the gums are lifted back to remove tartar deep below the gum line. Bone and tissue grafts can help regenerate the bone and gum tissue lost to the disease.
Remember, each procedure has its own benefits and recovery expectations, but all aim to restore oral health.
Takeaway
- Catching gum disease early can prevent serious complications. Regular dental check-ups are crucial.
- Gum care is the most commonly overlooked aspect of oral health. While we follow all the steps to ensure a seamless smile, most people forget to care for their gums.
- Bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, loose teeth, and pus are signs of advanced gum disease.
- Gum disease treatment may include surgical and non-surgical interventions.
- Don’t let your gum issues escalate to an advanced stage! Contact our experts at Sundance Dental Grants today.
