National Gum Disease Awareness Month
One of the most common and severe oral diseases that patients have to deal with is gum disease. Since February is National Gum Disease Awareness Month, our team wanted to take this time to discuss gum disease facts.
At Gentle Dental Group, we are all about providing you with the facts so that you can make the best habits and decisions for your dental health. It’s important to understand gum disease and the potential diseases it can cause.
What is Gum Disease?
Our Bethlehem dentist, Dr. Uyen Hoang, explains that gum disease or periodontitis happens when the gums, the tissues that keep the teeth in place, have a severe infection. This is due to the accumulation of plaque and bacteria. Unfortunately, advanced cases of the disease can cause serious damage to the jaw bone which ultimately leads to loss of teeth.
What Are The Gum Disease Symptoms?
The signs and symptoms of gum disease are very easy to spot. When you see any of these warning signs, see your Loganville dentist office right away.
- Constant incidents of bad breathing.
- Bloody or soft gums.
- Noticeable discomfort in chewing.
- Red, receding gums.
- Loss of teeth.
- Over-sensitive teeth
How does it develop?
Periodontitis doesn’t happen right away. We asked our friends over at OG Dental, Family dentist Denver Highlands, to explain the stages of gum disease for us. Dr. Sean O’Grady explains that there are four steps involved in the development of the disease:
Step 1: Gingivitis – This is the first stage of the disease and is still reversible. It is marked by bleeding or swollen gums.
Step 2: Mild periodontal – When gingivitis is left untreated, it progresses to this stage. The infection has now entered the bones and is beginning to deteriorate. Although deemed permanent, therapies may still be controlled.
Step 3: Mild Periodontal – In stage 3, the infection has reached a point where not only the bones but also the bloodstream and immune system are affected.
Step 4: Advanced Periodontal-The last stage of the disorder. This is marked by a rapid loss of bone and gum line teeth.
Common Myths About Gum Disease
Myth #1: Gum Disease is for elders only.
Various myths and lack of awareness have led to insufficient prevention of gum disease. Hopefully, the facts presented below will help you gain a better understanding of periodontitis and enable you to get the appropriate treatments
One popular misconception about gum disease is that it affects only the elderly. In fact, everyone, including children, may have periodontitis.
That’s why it’s so important for people of all ages to get dental checkups every 6 months to make sure their teeth and gums are safe.
Myth #2: Gum Disease is not hereditary.
Genetics is one of the most important variables in the treatment of oral diseases. Although you may be meticulous about your personal oral hygiene, there is always a possibility that you may be at risk of gum disease if it is part of your family history.
But that doesn’t mean that gum disease is unavoidable for you. Daily dental checkups and making good lifestyle choices such as stopping or avoiding smoking will help minimize the risk of having periodontitis.
Myth #3: Gum disease is not infectious.
One little-known reality about gum disease is that it can potentially spread from person to person – the bacteria from someone with the disease to be more precise. The bacteria can be transferred to someone by saliva, so doing the following with someone infected by the condition can put you at risk:
- Sharing the toothbrush
- Use the same utensils like spoons and forks without first cleaning them.
- Kissing
- Drinking with the same glass or bottle
If you have a family member or a friend who has signs of gum disease, make sure to sterilize your kitchen utensils and stop sharing food and drink.
Facts To Know About Gum Disease
Dairy products fight against gum disease.
Dairy products can actually help fight against gum disease. This is so because these types of foods contain calcium and other elements that help to restore nutrients to your teeth that may have been missing due to other foods. They also help repair tooth enamel and lower levels of acidity that help combat tooth decay.
Research suggests that people who frequently eat dairy products have a lower risk of gum disease. So if you’re on the food market that can help your oral health, you can try milk, cheese, yogurt, and other dairy products.
Chronic poor breath is a symptom of gum disease.
If you have had a bad breath on more than one occasion and it keeps coming back no matter what you do, this could be an indication that you have gum disease. The disease is caused by a bacterial infection in which a foul odor is generally present.
Getting no cavities doesn’t mean that you don’t have a gum disorder.
A common misconception among people is that having no cavities is a sign of good oral health and that the teeth and gums are in top condition. However, tooth and gum health, though related, are completely different from each other. It is still possible to have perfectly healthy teeth and to have gums contaminated at the same time.
Daily brushing isn’t enough to fight gum disease.
Brushing is not enough!
Although brushing your teeth regularly is considered good oral hygiene, that alone is not enough to prevent bacteria from infecting your gums. Flossing and mouth washing designed for gum protection will greatly benefit your everyday oral routine. Biyearly cleanings with your Bethlehem GA dentist is the most successful way to get rid of the bacteria that have settled in places that are hard to reach in your gum line.
Pregnant women who have gum disease can put their children at risk.
It is strongly recommended that pregnant women visit their family dentistry in Bethlehem GA on a regular basis to prevent gum disease when it is still in its early stages. Infection in the gums may interfere with the development of the unborn child because, at later stages of periodontitis, the bacteria have already entered the bloodstream and the toxins they produce may cause problems once they enter the placenta.
A new study showed that women with underweight or premature delivery had significant cases of gum disease.
See Your Dentist
Gum disease is a silent disease that can affect someone without even knowing it. If left alone, it can cause severe problems for your overall health. It’s always helpful to be well educated when it comes to periodontitis because you’ll be able to avoid the disease in its earliest stages.
If you’ve been searching “dentist near Bethlehem GA“, now is your time to make an appointment! Gentle Dental Group is passionate about providing top-quality dental care and we are always accepting new patients. Come see us today!