Gingivitis: This is an inflammatory condition of the gum tissue caused by the accumulation of bacteria on the teeth. It is an early form of gum disease that has not advanced to the point of tissue or bone loss. When plaque is allowed to remain on the teeth, the bacteria within it begins to cause redness, irritation, and swelling of the gum tissue. Most patients do not even know when they have it since gingivitis rarely causes pain. Additional symptoms can also include sensitivity and tenderness of the gum tissue, and slight bleeding when brushing, flossing, or probing during an examination.
Periodontitis: This is a much more serious gum infection than gingivitis, where the damaged gums and bone have jeopardized the health of your teeth. Symptoms of periodontitis can include red, swollen gums, gums that recede from the teeth, loose teeth, and bad breath. The infection at times may be deep below the surface and may appear to have few external symptoms. If left untreated, periodontitis can lead to significant gum recession and bone loss, which can then cause tooth loss and serious health problems including increased risk of heart disease. Research has shown some links between periodontal disease and heart disease, ischemic stroke, respiratory disease, head and neck cancer, kidney disease, diabetes, and increased risk of pre-term delivery.
Seeking gum disease treatment early on is vital to protecting your oral and general health. While many gum disease symptoms exist, tooth loss is the most severe. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss for the majority of adults in the United States.
Losing your teeth, however, is not the only danger of this disease. When your teeth are lost, it is more difficult for you to chew properly. It may also affect the types of foods that you can consume. Without a healthy, nutritious diet, overall health can decline, further leading to systemic illness. If you notice that your teeth are becoming loose or if any other gum disease symptoms are occurring, seek treatment right away by contacting our team at Andrew Zegeer, DDS, PLLC.
When you have gum disease, there is an active, living infection in your mouth. This infection releases toxins throughout the entire body via the blood vessels in your mouth causing a variety of health-related issues.
Given the potentially life-threatening effects of gum disease, it is very important to maintain regular dental exams and cleanings. Your dental professional will provide periodic screenings for gum disease. If the presence of gum disease is detected, either non-surgical or surgical gum disease treatment will be provided to address and control the disease. There is no cure for periodontal disease. We must treat this condition and maintain your oral health to prevent the progression of periodontal disease.
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