Gum Disease
In our hectic day to day lives routine things like dental visits can take a backseat to the problems of the moment. We know we should go, but where to squeeze it in? But routine dental care is not something that should be put off.
Routine dental visits keep your smile bright, your teeth healthy and a growing body of research suggests that unhealthy teeth, mouth and gums can negatively impact your heath.
Periodontal disease is the infection of the bone and tissue that support the teeth. The milder form is Gingivitis, which only affects soft tissue around the teeth. The more serious form is periodontitis. Periodontitis is the inflammation and infection of the bones and ligaments that support the teeth, which can lead tooth loss.
Warning sings for Gingivitis and Periodontitis include:
- Consistently tender or inflamed gums
- Bleeding gums
- Permanent teeth that are lose
- Persistent bad taste or bad breath
- Changes in your bite or partial denture fit
- Nothing at all
Periodontal disease occurs when the plaque that forms naturally on teeth becomes too thick the lower layer become anaerobic (no longer requires air for growth) and begins to produce acids which decay teeth, inflame gums and dissolve bone. Once the bone starts to dissolve teeth become lose may requires extensive repair or removal. For this reason regular dental cleanings are essential to good dental health, the prevention of periodontal disease as well as a beautiful smile.
That’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the consequences of neglecting dental care. According some research the amount of plaque below your gums may be proportional to your risk of a heart attack. Other research has found links between premature and low birth weight babies and the mother’s dental health.
To prevent tooth loss and other complications of periodontal disease:
- Brush twice a day
- Floss once a day
- Eat a healthy diet
- Have a professional teeth cleaning twice a year
