Many people nowadays link going to the dentist with simple aesthetic desires to look more attractive. But the dentist offers far more than a simple beauty fix. Visiting your Johns Creek dentist regularly can actually help save your life. That may sound overly dramatic, but it’s not too far off course. The truth is that almost 50% of Americans have some form of gum disease. That equates to at least 65 million residents. More than 70% of seniors over the age of 65, however, suffer from periodontal disease which can, in fact, be avoided with the right effort and attention. Gum disease is a national epidemic due to its ease of development and how quickly it advances when ignored. Fortunately, there are some obvious symptoms of gum disease that can alert even the most oblivious carrier. After all, human gums do attempt to warn of impending trouble. But just what are your gums trying to tell you?
Warning, You Have Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the first of three stages of gum disease and the mildest version of the bunch. There’s usually no pain associated with this stage, so self-discovery can be difficult if not impossible. Gingivitis is caused by the buildup of plaque on the teeth and gum line. This happens when food particles and bacteria combine and form a sticky film that isn’t readily removed. Gum redness and inflammation are generally the main signs or symptoms of this stage. When caught here, gum disease is completely reversible.
You’ve Advanced to Mild Periodontitis
The human mouth is a breeding ground for bacteria; wet, warm, dark, and a constant source of food. Gaps, spaces, cracks and missing teeth are perfect hiding and growth options for decay. That bacteria quickly spread to the gums and continues to live, feed, and breed beneath the soft tissue. If gingivitis is ignored or goes unnoticed, it can progress to mild periodontitis. During that stage of the disease, gums will feel tender to the touch and may sometimes feel sore. You’ll likely have constant halitosis even after brushing because of the forming decay around the gums. And gums will bleed often during brushing and flossing. Your Johns Creek dentist can still treat this stage to help stop and reverse the infection. But the combination of professional treatment and proper home oral care is required to beat periodontitis at this stage.
Gum Disease Treatment Is Mandatory: You Have Pyorrhea
Gum disease doesn’t just reverse or go away on its own. So if you don’t improve your brushing habits and seek treatment, the condition will advance. The most advanced stage of gum disease is called Pyorrhea, and at this point, treatment is absolutely mandatory to avoid further health conditions such as cancer, diabetes, birth defects, stroke, and heart attack. Advanced periodontitis has obvious, uncomfortable, and often painful symptoms such as mouth abscesses or ulcers–especially at the roots of the teeth, loose teeth, and gum recession that exposes the tooth roots. While several conditions may cause any of these individual symptoms, the combination with improper dental care and/or poor lifestyle decisions can indicate a serious need to visit your Johns Creek dentist for professional diagnosis and treatment.
