What happens if the periodontal disease goes untreated?
You’re not alone if you’ve been diagnosed with periodontal disease. It’s treatable early, but taking swift action is always recommended.
Untreated, periodontal disease leads to several issues, not only affecting your dental health but also your overall health. Read this guide to learn more about periodontal disease.
What is Periodontal Disease?
This is also called gum disease. This infection damages the soft tissue around the teeth and wears away the bone supporting them. If left untreated, the infection eventually ruins your bone and loosens the teeth causing them to fall out.
Harmful microorganisms settle on your gums and teeth when you drink, talk, or eat. If you don’t remove them fast enough, they can seep through your tooth’s pockets or cut your gums left when you brush vigorously. When the bacteria are left in a favorable environment, they continue multiplying. As the body reacts to fight the bacteria, inflammation occurs.
Although this disease is common, it can be prevented with good oral hygiene and proper dental treatment. Visiting your dentist in Poway for regular checkups helps detect periodontal disease before it impacts your dental health and reduces the chances of developing the disease.
What are Different Types of Periodontal Disease?
Several types of periodontal disease include:
- Gingivitis
This’s the first stage of gum disease caused by tartar and plaque accumulation. The plaque penetrates the gums, making them red and bleed. If this’s left untreated, it leads to periodontal disease. However, it’s reversible with proper oral health and professional treatment from Heavenly Smiles Dentist.
- Aggressive Periodontitis
Clinically healthy people may experience a fast loss of gum attachment and bone destruction, known as aggressive periodontitis.
- Chronic Periodontitis
Chronic periodontitis is an inflammation of your gums that damage the tissues and bone that support the teeth, resulting in loosening and shifting your teeth. It’s a common form of periodontal disease, and it’s characterized by gum recession. Chronic periodontitis affects people of all ages, but it mostly affects adults.
- Periodontitis Caused by Systematic Disease
This form of gum disease normally begins at a young age and is triggered by medical conditions such as respiratory infections, diabetes, and heart disease.
- Necrotizing Periodontal Disease
This is commonly found in people suffering from systematic health conditions such as HIV, immunosuppression, and malnutrition. It’s characterized by gingival tissues, necrosis of alveolar bone, and periodontal ligament.
Long-Term Consequences of Periodontal Disease
Gum disease starts as simple gingivitis. The gum tissue may swell or look red, causing bad breath. However, if the gum disease is left untreated, it leads to mild to moderate gum disease characterized by bleeding gums and infections.
As gum disease progresses, bacteria and tartar invade deeper into your gum tissue and damage the underlying ligaments and bone. This causes bone damage, receding gums, and tooth loss.
The effects of periodontal disease can spread beyond your dental health. As tartar and bacteria grow, they enter your bloodstream and travel throughout the body, causing other problems such as stroke, arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease. Therefore, treating gum disease is critical before it impacts your physical health.
Common Causes and Risk Factors of Periodontal Disease
Some factors can increase your risk of developing periodontal disease. They include:
- Hormonal changes
- Chewing or smoking tobacco
- Poor oral hygiene
- Having a family history of gum disease
- Frequently grinding and clenching your teeth
- Avoiding regular dental visits for professional dental cleanings and exams
- Poor nutrition that includes vitamin C deficiency
- Health conditions like diabetes, asthma, heart problems, osteoporosis, or kidney problems
Tips to Prevent Periodontal Disease
A few tips to prevent gum disease include:
- Brush Your Teeth
Brushing teeth after meals remove food debris and plaque accumulated between your teeth and gums. Ensure you clean your tongue while brushing as bacteria and food particles can stay there. Also, ensure you use s soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Floss Your Teeth
You should floss at least once daily to remove plaque and food particles between your teeth and gum.
- Visit Your Dentist
You should go to your dentist’s office at least twice a year. Our dentists examine your gums, teeth, bone structure, and symptoms or risk factors of periodontal disease. Early gum disease treatment is key to reversing gum disease and protecting your oral health.