What Can Happen If I Avoid Gum Disease Treatment?
Countless Australians suffer from gum disease, and many of them don’t even realise it. Unfortunately, this is not something that will go away on its own, so you’ll need gum disease treatment to keep it under control over the years. If you have been putting off seeing your dentist or periodontist for treatment, you shouldn’t avoid it any longer, as the ramifications could be severe, even leading to you losing your teeth altogether. Here’s what you need to know about gum disease and periodontal treatment.
Early Warning Signs of Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease, more commonly called gum disease, occurs when your gums get infected due to a build-up of tartar and plaque in the pocket between your teeth and gums. This can lead to a variety of symptoms, including:
- Bad breath
- Bleeding while brushing and flossing
- Receding gums
When your gums are infected, that infection can spread to other areas as well, possibly causing additional health complications. This is particularly worrisome for pregnant women and parents of small children, as bacteria can transfer from your mouth to your child’s.
Gum Disease Requires Professional Treatment
No matter how diligently you brush and floss, you cannot get rid of periodontal disease without the help of a dentist. Brushing and flossing can’t remove tartar and plaque from between your teeth, so you’ll need a dentist or periodontist to handle this task for you. Your dentist can reach down below the gum line to clean the infection and disease from the pocket between your teeth and gums. Once you have gum disease, it doesn’t go away, so you and your dental care provider will be working together to manage it for the rest of your life.
A big problem with gum disease is that it often makes your gums quite sensitive, which can make it difficult to brush and floss without pain and bleeding. Because of this, many people reduce the amount of brushing and flossing they do in an attempt to allow their gums to heal. However, this will only serve to make it easier for plaque and tartar to form, essentially making your gum disease even worse.
Complications of Gum Disease
If left unchecked, gum disease can truly make a mess of your mouth. In addition to the symptoms listed above, you may also find that your teeth have increased sensitivity to cold or heat as the gums recede and more of the root is exposed. As your gums continue to recede, the infection can spread into the bones in your jaw, causing them to deteriorate. If the situation gets bad enough, your teeth may begin to loosen and can ultimately even fall out.
Get Your Gum Disease Under Control
The good news is that periodontal disease is highly treatable, and it will be easier to manage if you catch it early on. The best way to do this is to see your dentist regularly for cleanings. Experts recommend coming in at least every six months for a check-up. This will enable your dentist to closely monitor the progression of your gum disease and any other issues with your teeth or mouth, like cavities or enamel loss. Reach out to our office today to schedule your next appointment to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
