Gum Disease: Why It’s Essential to Take Seriously—What to Know

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Gum Disease: Why It’s Essential to Take Seriously—What to Know

gum disease

While many people focus on the teeth, ensuring that it is in perfect health and condition, there is something else that is just as important when it comes to oral health: the gums

In fact, the gums do not only affect the health of the teeth and mouth as a whole, but it even affects your overall health as an individual! This means that you may end up dealing with more than just a problem in the mouth if you run into gum diseases. In this article, we will share with you exactly why your gum’s health is important and why you should take gum diseases seriously.

What causes gum diseases?

Gum diseases are generally caused by a bacterial infection; however, certain bad habits can also cause the onset of it or exacerbate the condition, such as smoking

While it may not be apparent to the teeth near the front, these types of infections are more common around the molar area. That is because teeth at the back generally receive less care and maintenance than the front, meaning that bacteria can secretly be harboring and causing diseases from the background without anyone wiser!

What exactly does gum disease cause?

Gum diseases cause a variety of things, with some being mere nuisances, while others are more serious. 

For example, it can cause the supporting bones to worsen, loosening your teeth, and creating gaps between the gums and teeth—allowing for infections to pass through and burrow. It can then result in you needing to remove your teeth entirely to address the infection lodged within.

Other than that, gum disease can also cause bad breath, something you and anyone else near you would not want to deal with. Other than directly affecting your oral health, gum diseases have also been linked with cardiovascular diseases!

Is gum disease preventable?

Yes, it is highly preventable. 

With proper care of your whole mouth, gum disease can be avoided. That being said, gum disease is still prevalent, occurring in about one case for every two people! Among those affected, around ten percent experience a severe case of gum disease. 

With those statistics in mind, the chances are that you may be dealing with some form of gum disease. The only reason that these manifest into much worse and advanced stages is that gum disease often starts out painless. It works in the shadows, slowly deteriorating your oral health—until it’s too late to address painlessly.

What should I do to address gum disease?

Whether you are sure if you have gum disease or not, you will need to visit the dentist and receive professional advice for it. You may also undergo some procedures, such as deep cleaning, and receive tips on how to properly care for your teeth and gums. These, in totality, will help ensure that the gum disease will not worsen and that it slowly disappears over time.

Conclusion

Gum disease is something you do not want to leave hanging around in your mouth for too long. If addressed early enough, you may undergo minimal procedures to address the infection and reduce the damages it has done. 

However, even if the situation has developed to worse stages, it is still never too late to seek help; in fact, the only way to proceed is through the help of a professional. They will check your mouth thoroughly and recommend solutions on what can be done to treat the problem. 

Are you looking for a dentist in Charlotte, NC, to help you with your growing gum pains? Langley Dental Care NC is a dental practice offering various dental treatments, from dental crowns to teeth cleaning. Get in touch with us today to make an appointment!

author
Dr. Kari Langley
Dr. Kari Langley, DMD, an Auburn University and UAB School of Dentistry graduate, has been practicing since 2004 and focuses on providing personalized dental care to help patients achieve their unique dental goals. She is dedicated to creating healthy, beautiful smiles by tailoring treatment plans to fit each patient’s lifestyle and needs.
Langley Dental Care | Dentist Charlotte NC | Cosmetic Dentistry