Gum Disease
Gum Disease — A War in Your Mouth
While teeth get all the attention, your gums are the unsung heroes of your mouth. Have you been told by your Carmichael dentist that your gums are either diseased or at risk of gum disease? You may think the answer is to just buy some strong-smelling mouthwash, take a few more vitamins and hope for the best. That would not be a wise choice, because periodontal disease is not something that can be put off like a haircut. It is serious, but there are steps you can take to get your gums healthy again.
How is it even possible that the seemingly weaker of the two, your gums, can put your extremely hard teeth at risk? It may seem strange, but it’s true, as every year issues with gums destroys healthy teeth. Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is a battle with bacteria. Those bacteria destroy your enamel, live in your gum pockets, irritate your jawbone and loosen your teeth. You may have lost a bit of ground, but with decisive action, a plan of attack, and good follow-through, you and your dentist can win the war against gum disease. What are your weapons? A consistent personal oral hygiene routine, along with regular dental visits for deep cleaning, can keep the enemy on the defensive.
Why All the Worry?
Why is all this action necessary? Why are the dentists at the Marconi Dental Group worried about “a little gum problem”? Here are the potential side effects down the road, if you don’t already have some:
Effects of Gum Disease
- Halitosis, also known as bad breath, from plaque and bacteria deposits
- Bleeding gums
- Bone loss in your jaws
- Loss of teeth as your gums recede
- Increased risk of heart disease or stroke
- Complications with diabetes
- Potential complications for pregnant women.
Your gums need to be cured now with the latest techniques in cleaning and medication. Please read the following pages to see how Carmichael’s Marconi Dental Group can help you fight gum disease. First you’ll learn what it is and how you get it, then you’ll learn how you and your family can prevent it and happily you will learn what treatments there are to put this in the history books, with you as the winner.
