Unhealthy Gums Can Lead to More Serious Issues
If you’ve noticed that your gums feel irritated when you brush your teeth, or you’re spitting out some blood while you do so, you shouldn’t ignore this. Bleeding or irritated gums are often the first signs of a condition that can lead to gum disease, also known as periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is a serious issue that affects your teeth, gums, and overall health, so if your gums are bothering you, it’s very important to seek out routine professional services before you might need more complicated periodontal treatment in Orlando. Let’s look at how unhealthy gums can lead to more serious issues, and how you can prevent that from happening.
Gingivitis
When bacteria in your mouth is allowed to remain long enough to irritate the gums and cause inflammation, or gingivitis, that in turn can cause them to bleed when you brush your teeth. At this stage, although the gums may be irritated, the teeth are still firmly in place and no irreversible bone or other tissue damage has occurred. That’s why it’s very important to see a professional the minute you suspect you might have gingivitis, because its effects can be halted and reversed. It’s also very important to maintain good oral hygiene, including regular brushing and flossing, and consistent semi-annual visits to your oral hygienist, who can clean your teeth more thoroughly than you can at home, and who can catch potential problems before they become more serious. Gums that bleed every time you brush and that look red and irritated are not normal, so it’s vital that you see your dentist right away if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms.
Periodontal Disease
When gingivitis goes unchecked, it almost always worsens over time. If you give gingivitis long enough, it will likely become gum disease, also known as periodontal disease. This more serious condition of the mouth is characterized by increasingly swollen and bleeding gums that may also begin to recede from the teeth, exposing their roots and making them very susceptible to infection, loosening and, ultimately, loss. It’s important to note that periodontal disease does not go away on its own. Anyone who is suffering from this condition should seek out periodontal treatment in Orlando right away, because professionals have the expertise and the means to halt the disease and, in many cases, reverse its damage.
Other Health Risks
Periodontal disease doesn’t just cause issues with your teeth, gums, and mouth. More and more research is showing it can compromise one’s general health, and that it has a connection to heart disease, as well as other conditions like osteoporosis and pneumonia. For these reasons and more, seeing a professional the minute you suspect you might have gum disease is truly your best course of action. Our knowledgeable and gentle team can devise a treatment plan that will put you on the path to recovery and that will keep your smile healthy and happy for a lifetime.
If you think you might be suffering from periodontal disease, don’t wait! Schedule an appointment with us today.
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