Not just tobacco, but any type of smoking can impact the health of your gums. It’s a well-known fact that smoking is dangerous for your health, but you may not realize just how harmful it can be to your oral health.
Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is a chronic and silent infection that attacks the soft and hard tissues surrounding teeth. If left untreated, tooth loss and oral health can begin to deteriorate. Because most people are unaware of its presence, periodontal disease is the largest cause of tooth loss in America affecting millions of people annually.
Causes of Gum Disease
When neglected build-up of bacteria and plaque coat the exterior of teeth, this is referred to as gum disease. Plaque consists of harmful bacteria that form a sticky, solid outer layer on the teeth that can deteriorate a healthy gum line.
By not removing plaque from the teeth, it builds up and irritates your gums, the result of which can lead to further health problems. Gum disease, or periodontitis as it’s often referred to, has further links to your general health, too.
A recent CDC report found that 47.2% of adults aged 30 and older in the US have some form of periodontal disease. This disease also increases with age, with the same report finding 70.1% of adults 65 years and older experiencing periodontal disease.
There’s a strong correlation between periodontal disease and the impact on your overall health, so it’s something that needs to be taken seriously. The most current medical literature links gum disease to diabetes, heart disease, different types of cancers, and even pre-term, low-birth weights in babies.
What other causes contribute to gum disease? Here are a few to be wary of when it comes to gum problems.
Gum Disease Risk Factors
It’s important to look after your oral hygiene. Brushing and flossing at least twice daily should be an integral part of your daily routine. Water piks and chlorhexidine are also excellent tools in fighting gum disease. These tools, in addition to 2-4 professional cleanings per year, are necessary for optimal oral health.
For some, gum disease might not be something that can be helped. For example, some may have a natural deficiency that causes gum disease, such as a lack of vitamin C. There are also some who are more prone to gum disease due to family history and the appearance of the disease in other family members.
Symptoms & Long-Lasting Negative Effects
Periodontal disease is the number one cause of tooth loss in adults. If it goes untreated and the patient neglects their oral care, there can be little that can be done to restore the teeth. Not only that, but the patient’s overall health can be impacted as a result.
Typical signs and symptoms to watch out for in gum disease include any of the following:
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Swollen gums
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Tender or bleeding gums
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Pain while chewing or biting
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Bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth
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Loose teeth or sensitivity in teeth
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Gums that have pulled away from your teeth
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Any change in the way your teeth fit together when biting
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Any change in the fit of any partial dentures you may have
To catch these symptoms or signs of gum disease, it’s worth stopping by Durango Dental for a quick and simple diagnostic test.
At Durango Dental, we know gum health is vital. Our team is careful to look for periodontal disease and make sure every patient receives proper treatment.
Treatment & Prevention
Our hygienists on a yearly basis will take special measurements with patients called periodontal charting. This checks that the gum tissue and bone levels are healthy. If the charting indicates you have the disease, we’ll diagnose it and treat patients with non-surgical periodontal therapy—put simply, deep cleaning.
The treatment involves two appointments within two weeks of each other. This cleans the gum line that the toothbrush cannot reach.
After this treatment has been completed, the patient is usually put on a 3-4 month patient recall for a special kind of cleaning called periodontal maintenance.
Should further treatments be needed, we will refer the patient to the appropriate specialist.
Here at Durango Dental, we offer several treatments that help maintain your gums, even those who may need a bad-breath treatment. The most effective treatments will help to reverse the effects of gum disease with a deep cleaning treatment below the gum line. Additionally, we offer a localized antibiotic treatment to further treat the disease.