Do you have red, receding, or tender gums? Are your teeth sensitive? Have you noticed pockets forming between your gums and your teeth? These are all telltale signs of gum disease. Brushing and flossing twice daily in addition to having regular checkups and professional cleanings are critical to maintaining your dental health. But it’s not just your teeth that benefit from those habits. Your gums also stay healthy when you follow recommended dental hygiene routines.
Seek targeted treatment for gum disease in Coventry, RI from our skilled team at Eric George DMD & Associates.
By taking these steps, you eliminate harmful bacteria from remaining in your mouth and closing the door to oral, and systemic infection. When allowed to flourish, those bacteria can cause gum disease, or periodontal disease. Though this may begin as minor oral discomfort, gum disease can lead to tooth loss, jawbone recession, and even serious whole-body health problems like cardiovascular disease. Don’t let gum disease go untreated. Before your condition deteriorates, seek targeted treatment for gum disease in Coventry, RI from our skilled team at Eric George DMD & Associates.
When we catch gum disease at its earliest stage, gingivitis, we can reverse it. However, if your condition reaches an advanced stage, it may become incurable.
The earliest stage of gum disease, gingivitis is caused by plaque and calculus buildup along the gumline. This stage is usually accompanied by swollen gums that may bleed while brushing and flossing. At this point, the disease has not reached the bone underneath the gums, and as a result, is reversible.
At this second stage your gums may be receding, and deep periodontal “pockets” have formed between your teeth and gums. These pockets are hollow areas that harbor tartar, plaque, and disease-causing bacteria. Open and susceptible to infection, bacteria has reached and permanently damaged your bone. If you believe you’re at this stage, seek gum disease treatment immediately to prevent further damage including tooth loss.
During the final stage of gum disease, the infection has progressed and damaged the connective tissues and jawbone that support your teeth. As a result, your teeth can loosen, shift, and even fall out. This may result in changes to your bite and malocclusion as well as significant limitations to your oral function. We highly recommend immediate treatment and may advise receiving osseous surgery to manage the disease.
The destructive effects of gum disease don’t stop with the mouth. Studies have shown that gum disease in Coventry, RI and across the country has been positively linked to systemic health issues including heart disease, stroke, cancer, respiratory disease, and diabetes and pregnancy complications. This is because the same bacteria that trigger gum disease can travel through your body and reach your major organs. You could be living each day with a systemic, low-grade infection. With all the dangers gum disease presents, it’s easy to see why you should do your best to prevent it and get help at the first sign of symptoms!
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Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is an infection of the gums that can threaten the health of your smile. If not treated in time, the disease can cause serious and permanent consequences. Therefore, caring for your smile effectively and efficiently can limit bacteria in the mouth and prevent infections from forming and spreading.
Our Coventry, RI dentists know the dangers that come with neglecting dental hygiene care which is why they recommend biannual dental cleanings. But first, what exactly is gum disease and how can it threaten your smile?
Gum disease is an infection that starts in the gums due to an overgrowth of bacteria in the mouth. The bacteria forms from dental plaque left behind in the teeth. If the plaque is not cleaned out and dental hygiene is neglected, the bacteria is given room to fester and spread – leading to gum disease.
Although gum disease can be reversible in its early stages, if treatment is postponed it can lead to permanent damage. Signs and symptoms of gum disease include:
Once the disease exists in the mouth, it can easily damage a person’s smile by destroying the healthy tissues that surround the teeth. By destroying healthy tissues, the disease causes the teeth to loosen and eventually fall out, leading to irreversible and permanent damage.
Missing teeth in the mouth pose many problems and may lead to further infection and bacteria formation. Therefore, consequences of gum disease may require reconstructive treatment to restore the smile back to health.
Although gum disease may seem harmless in its earliest stages, it can end in serious repercussions if the symptoms are ignored. Gum disease that is left to progress without treatment can eventually weaken the bone and give way for infection to spread more rapidly.
Avoid serious consequences of gum disease by visiting Dr. George and Associates for a dental checkup. Our dedicated Coventry, RI dentists are here to ensure that your teeth are healthy and remain in great shape for years to come. At Eric George DMD & Associates, we provide personalized care for all our patients with the hope of getting you back on track. Contact us today to get started.
