If your teeth are healthy, but your gums are not, then your teeth are not healthy. Just as a crumbling foundation can ruin a perfectly good house, gum disease can destroy perfectly healthy teeth. Also known as periodontal disease, gum disease results from oral bacteria attacking your gums, at times becoming an all-out war in your mouth where you and your teeth are the losers. Learning what gum disease does and how to prevent it are essential in your quest to keep your teeth, save your money and protect your smile for decades to come.
Side Effects of Gum Disease
When gums are diseased with uncontrolled bacteria, they start to pull away from the teeth, also known as gum recession or receding gums. While your teeth may appear to be getting longer, in fact your gums are getting shorter. Some consequences are only annoying, others are potentially disastrous. These problems include:
- Bad breath that does not respond to brushing, caused from plaque and bacteria deposits,
- Bleeding gums, especially when brushing or flossing,
- Sore gums,
- Loss of bone in the jaws,
- Loss of teeth as gums recede,
- Higher risk of cardiovascular disease or stroke,
- Potential complications for diabetics,
- Potential complications for pregnant women.
Do not take a “wait and see” approach with gum disease and do not try to cure it with rinses and mouthwashes from a drug store. When your body has a disease, you want to get rid of it. When your gums have a disease, you solve the problem by seeking help from the dentists at the Placerville Dental Group. Don’t be embarrassed to come in, be motivated to come in. Don’t be ashamed to be examined by our understanding staff, be determined to get this behind you. Make an appointment right away to get your mouth back in shape, protecting your teeth and gums from destructive bacteria.
