Gum Disease Treatment

Gum disease, also known as “periodontal disease,” is a bacterial infection in the gums and bone surrounding the teeth. It typically occurs when too much plaque and bacteria are allowed to build up around the gumline due to a lack of proper oral hygiene. The disease progresses as the bacterial infection grows, going from a simple gum inflammation (gingivitis) to a more serious condition (periodontitis) that causes damage to the gum and bone tissue that support the teeth. If the disease is allowed to progress, the teeth eventually become loose and are often lost.

Patients are often unaware of gum disease because it may not cause pain until it has progressed to an advanced stage. Symptoms include the following:

• Bleeding while brushing, flossing or eating hard food
• Red, swollen or tender gums
• Pain or sores in the mouth
• Gums that are receding or have pulled away from the teeth
• Loose teeth
• Persistent bad breath or bad taste in the mouth
• Pus between gums and teeth
• Any change in the way your teeth fit together when biting

Research has shown an important link between gum disease and many other serious health conditions throughout the body. Untreated gum disease can increase the risk of health complications, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, dementia, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, respiratory disease, Alzheimer’s disease and complications with pregnancy. Study results suggest that the transfer of gum-disease-causing bacteria to other parts of the body likely plays an important role in this.

Early treatment of gum disease helps reduce the danger of developing these serious systemic conditions, which is why it’s vitally important to seek treatment right away if you are experiencing any of the signs of gum disease.