Gum disease, or gingivitis and periodontitis, are serious gum infections that attack and damage gums, with the ability to destroy the jawbone. Periodontitis (later stages) is caused by several factors yet can still be prevented with good oral hygiene. Poor oral hygiene and routines expose the gums and teeth to several bacterial attacks. With neglect, it leads to tooth loss and enhances other risks like cardiovascular disease, lung diseases, and advanced respiratory problems and complications.
There are many signs and symptoms that indicate gum disease, including: bloody spit when brushing, swollen, red, and tender gums. It is also through bad breath that it affects the respiratory tract and nasal cavity. There are several treatment options that may include professional dental cleaning of the pockets around teeth to stop damage to the surrounding bone. Other serious cases of gum disease may need advanced dental evaluation and surgery.
Why It Is Important to Detect and Treat Periodontitis Early
– Early detection prevents serious complications: In the early stages of gingivitis, the gums are usually swollen and red and may bleed easily. In the latter stages of periodontitis, the gums pull away from the teeth, exposing the jawbone to loss. This may precipitate fast tooth loss or fall out. Periodontal disease usually affects adults with a history of dental issues.
– Prevents jawbone loss and teeth misalignment: Failure to treat gum disease early on may lead to enhanced bacterial erosion of the jawbone. This makes it hard to chew and eat properly, tightens the facial features, misaligns teeth, and weakens teeth. It is impossible to enjoy nutritious meals and other vital servings due to sensitivity and tooth weakness.
– Stop swelling, tenderness, and gum bleeding: Gums bleed due to bad oral hygiene after a bacterial infection. Growth of severe plaque and tartar may affect gums too. Early treatment allows the restoration of oral functions. Treatment enhances the growth of healthy gum tissue. It stops the gum recession and encourages the gums to fit closely around the teeth.
Prevents other serious health complications: Research has linked oral diseases like gum infections to several health conditions. There are severe health conditions among others: diabetes, heart disease, respiratory disease, lung disease, kidney disease, Alzheimer’s disease, asthma, osteoporosis, and cancer. There are several health conditions that may be precipitated by severe dental problems.
– Keep a decent smile and stop bad breath: For many people, a cute smile is worth a thousand words. Everyone wants to appear decent and presentable. Treating your gum disease early on will ensure your smile is authentic. Besides, it prevents bad breath, which affects many people’s confidence and self-esteem.
– Affordable and cost-effective remedial treatment measures: It has always been argued that the ‘early bird catches the worm’. In this regard, early detection and treatment of gum disease are more cost-effective than costly and lengthy surgical procedures later on. Most of the time, when gum disease worsens into periodontitis, it requires advanced corrective treatment measures. These can be costly, as they are mostly invasive and involve lengthy healing processes. It is better to deal with the problem in its infancy, when it is affordable and has lower health risks.