Why Should You Seek Treatment For Your Periodontitis?

Dentist Blog

As you get older, your overall health may decline, including your oral health. Poor oral hygiene, bad eating habits, etc. may lead to gum disease. While mild gum disease may be reversible, periodontitis can have long-term, detrimental effects to your oral health. If you haven't been seeking treatment for your periodontitis, check out these reasons you should see a dental service.

Gum Disease Is an Infection

When you eat, plaque builds on your teeth, which attracts bacteria. When you brush your teeth, you remove the plaque and bacteria. However, if you forget to brush/floss or don't brush/floss properly, the plaque may be left behind and harden into tartar. This tartar also attracts bacteria and irritates your gums. This, ultimately, leads to a gum infection or gum disease. In the initial stages, it is considered gingivitis, but if left untreated, it can advance to periodontitis.

Gum disease has many symptoms, but you'll likely notice red, swollen gums, which are painful to the touch, and they may even bleed when you brush or floss. To start removing the infection, you must start by keeping your teeth clean. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental cleanings will help, but you may need scaling and root planing or a deep cleaning. In some cases, the dentist may recommend anti-biotics or anti-biotic mouthwash. This will help you manage your periodontitis or reverse gingivitis.

Your Gums May Recede

As your gums become more irritated and the disease worsens, you may notice your gums receding. In some cases, your teeth may simply look a little longer than normal, but in other cases, you may see small "pockets," which form between the gum and tooth as the gums recede. This is a breeding ground for bacteria because plaque can easily get stuck in the pockets, and bacteria can hide from the toothbrush.

As your gums continue to recede, the chances of decay increase. The crowns of your teeth are protected by enamel. Bacteria must first penetrate the enamel before a cavity appears, but the roots of your teeth don't have enamel. They are usually protected by the gums, but when gums recede, the root is exposed to bacteria and decay. This, combined with less gum tissue to stabilize the tooth, increases the risk of losing teeth. Once your periodontitis is under control, however, the dentist may be able to perform various procedures to repair the gums, including a gum graft and gum flap surgery, which removes pockets by repositioning gums.

Severe Periodontitis Can Affect the Jawbone  

Gum disease may start in your gums, but it may not stop there if you don't seek treatment. Eventually, the disease can reach your jawbone, which significantly increases the risk of complications. For starters, your teeth may become even looser because there is no stable jawbone to support them. Tooth loss not only affects your self-confidence, but it actually causes your jawbone to shrink further, which can change the entire shape of your face. Worse, until you get your disease under control, dental implants and dental bridges may not the appropriate because your jawbone is simply too weak to support the structures and extra pressure.

If this happens, even if you start treatment, your teeth may remain loose because of the weakened jawbone. In order to protect them, the dentist may recommend a bone graft. Like a gum graft, a bone graft is used to promote new tissue growth. With a bone graft and proper treatment, your jawbone should strengthen again. You'll also likely need a bone graft if you choose to undergo implant surgery to replace missing teeth after your periodontitis is under control.

If you have gum disease, stop waiting another moment to seek treatment. Advanced gum disease can affect your teeth, gums, and jawbone, causing teeth to decay or become loose. For more information regarding gum disease and dental treatments, contact a dentist in your area today.

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14 August 2018