It’s never good when disease affects your body…you want to be healthy and stay healthy and you do whatever it takes to maintain your body’s health. This should be true for your mouth, gums and teeth as well.
It’s true. One of the most common causes of tooth loss in the United States is periodontal disease – which ranges from simple gum inflammation to a serious disease that results in major damage to the bones and soft tissues that support your teeth. In the worst of cases, teeth are lost.
Your mouth is full of bacteria, germs, and debris. They combine to cause bad breath as well as a sticky, colorless film on your teeth called plaque.
The cause of periodontal disease is most commonly poor oral hygiene. Brushing and flossing regularly can help get rid of plaque but plaque that’s not removed forms tartar which can only be removed by a dentist or a hygienist. The longer plaque and tartar remain on your teeth, the more harmful they become.
Plaque, tartar and bacteria left on the teeth can cause gingivitis. Signs to look for are gums that bleed easily and are tender, swollen and red. Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease. It is easily treated and can usually be reversed with good dental habits. If gingivitis is not treated, it can advance to periodontitis, inflammation around the gums and teeth.
In periodontitis, gums pull away from the teeth and form pockets that become infected. The body’s immune system fights the bacteria as the plaque grows below the gum line. This natural response to infection starts to break down the tissues and bone that hold the teeth in place. If left untreated, tissue, gums and bone are destroyed. Teeth become loose and eventually have to be removed.
If periodontal disease is caught early, it is easy to treat.
Here are some things that may indicate you have periodontal disease:
- Sensitive teeth
- Bad breath (halitosis)
- Bleeding, swollen, red or recessed gums
Get on top of your dental care!
Call to book an appointment with Dr. Winter, today: 414-377-5711.
