Gum Disease

What is Periodontal Disease? Also known as Gum Disease

The earliest stage of gum disease is called gingivitis, which is one of the most common conditions affecting the mouth. You will notice that your gums are red, puffy, and bleed easily due to plaque buildup. At this stage, the disease is still reversible and can usually be eliminated by a professional cleaning at your dental office; followed by daily brushing and flossing. When gingivitis is not addressed in time, plaque builds up and mineralizes and turns into calculus. If Calculus (tartar) is left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontal disease. At this point, the bones, gums, and tissue that support the teeth are affected. This condition can get worse overtime and the teeth may become loose as well. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, over 47 percent of Americans aged 30 or older have mild, moderate and/or severe periodontitis. Gum disease is usually painless, so it’s difficult for people to realize that they may have it.

Warning Signs Of Gum Disease

• Red, swollen, or tender gums or other pain in your mouth
• Bleeding while brushing, flossing, or eating hard food
• Gums that are receding or pulling away from the teeth, causing the teeth to look longer than before
• Loose or separating teeth
• Pus between your gums and teeth
• Sores in your mouth
• Persistent bad breath
• A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
• A change in the fit of partial dentures

Gum disease is also known as the “silent killer”of your oral health, because it has no warning signs. With regular checkups at Euclid Dental Center, you can make sure that you do not lose your teeth to gum disease. Call us for an appointment today at (909) 391-4300.

How Gum Disease Affects Your General Health

Remember, gum disease can not only affect your oral health, but your overall health as well. There is an association between gum disease and systemic illnesses, such as stroke, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, pancreatic cancer, colorectal cancer, COPD and pneumonia, Alzheimer’s disease, and multiple sclerosis. According to the American Dental Association (ADA) Mouth Healthy site, untreated gum disease may make diabetes worse by making it harder to regulate your blood sugar. Other risk factors include:

• Smoking or chewing tobacco
• Genetics
• Malocclusion of teeth (more difficult to keep clean)
• Pregnancy
• Poor oral hygiene habits
• Medications, (e.g., steroids, anti-epilepsy drugs, cancer therapy drugs, some calcium channel blockers, and oral contraceptives)

It is crucial to control the progression of gum disease, and that means plaque removal on a daily basis. Daily flossing is also significant in reaching in between the teeth, where a toothbrush cannot. Twice-a-day brushing, along with professional dental cleanings twice a year, are absolute musts to prevent gum disease. At Euclid Dental Center, we believe that healthy gums are the foundation of successful dental treatments. Call us today at (909) 391-4300 for a consultation.