A Dentist Tells You What You Need to Know about Gum Disease

Gum disease is a serious illness that afflicts millions of Americans. It’s one of the primary reasons why people seek help from their dentist. Fortunately, gum disease can be controlled and, in many cases, reversed by prompt and proper care. The type of treatment needed will vary depending upon the extent of the disease and the patient’s overall health.

What is Gum Disease?

Gum disease is caused by the same harmful bacteria that lead to most cavities. When these microorganisms attack a tooth, they typically work their way from the chewing surface into the roots, which are the portion of the teeth hidden beneath the gum line. When this happens, common symptoms may include:

• Severe pain: this is caused by inflammation of the nerves in the tooth’s pulp, its sensitive inner layer.
• Swollen or bleeding gums: this occurs as a result of toxins building up in the tissue of the patient’s mouth.
• Tooth loss: this problem may become so serious that extensive restoration treatment is needed.

A Lifetime of Health Problems

If these problems were the only consequences of gum disease, then the condition would rightly rank as one of our most serious and widespread illnesses. In reality however, a growing body of evidence indicates that untreated gum disease plays a major role in chronic health issues such as these:

• Arthritis: the inflammation associated with gum disease may spread into the joints between the bones.
• Diabetes: researchers have found a strong correlation between gum disease and elevated blood sugar levels.
• Immune system problems: the stress associated with tooth decay and gum disease may compromise the body’s ability to fight off dangerous infections.

 Protecting Yourself from Gum Disease

The good news is that gum disease can almost always be successfully treated and often prevented altogether. The key is to combine professional dental treatment with diligent self-care. This strategy may take any or all of these forms:

• Dental deep cleaning: this is the common term for a procedure called scaling and root planing, in which the dentist cleans the teeth both below and above the gum line up to the roots.
• Prescription mouthwash: these products contain powerful antibiotics designed to kill the bacteria that cause gum disease.
• Coaching tips: gum disease is usually the result of poor lifestyle choices combined with inadequate brushing and flossing. Enjoying lasting relief from the problem requires adopting good dental care habits. These include eating a healthy diet and avoiding tobacco, illicit drugs, and excessive alcohol consumption.

 Restoring Teeth Lost to Gum Disease

If you have already lost some or all of your teeth to gum disease, then don’t despair. Modern dentistry offers a number of solution for this problem, including:

• Crowns and bridges: these methods are of particular benefit for correcting gaps in the patient’s smile or teeth that have suffered damage but still have healthy roots.
• Adhesive dentures: this is a time-honored and dependable way to restore multiple missing teeth all at once.
• Implants: this is considered the state-of-the-art approach to tooth restoration.

Enjoying lifelong dental health takes reasonable care on your part. But the rewards are well worth the effort. Use the tips in this post as your guide to a healthier, happier future.

About the Author

Dr. Darrick Castleberry is a veteran of the US Navy, where he earned the nickname “Painless” from the marines he served while on duty. He’s known for his extensive professional skills and his caring, patient-centered approach to dentistry. You can reach his office online or by calling (281) 320-9600.