The impact of gum disease

Gum disease starts out innocent enough but can be very destructive in its advanced stages.

If you didn’t know much about gum disease, you should pay attention. It’s a common oral condition, affecting more than 80 percent of all Americans. If you’re wondering why you haven’t heard as much about it as you should or why you don’t know anyone who has it, it may be because gum disease appears in various forms. The milder versions are quite subtle and therefore, may go undiagnosed, if the patient neglects to tell his dentist about sensitive gums. Gum disease is the main cause of tooth loss in grownups.

Most people take notice when they get a toothache, but when it’s the gums, the same attention is not given. They make excuses for themselves and do not seek dental help from Arlington dentists. If the patient does not go for regular check-ups, the telltale signs will most certainly be missed. Sensitive gums occur due to various reasons and therefore even if one notices this, it may be mistaken as a side effect of medication. If it’s a lady, she has the chance to blame sensitive gums on pregnancy. However, gum sensitivity and bleeding often mean that you are suffering from gingivitis, the mildest form of gum disease. It is reversible and therefore only temporary for someone who seeks treatment. Unfortunately there can be others who will just brush it aside as something ‘not serious’. These patients will see their condition worsen from simple gingivitis to a much more complex situation.

Only gingivitis, the onset of gum disease, is reversible. Latter stages cannot be cured, even with the help of a good dentist. Understanding the process of gum disease will help you to understand why there is no going back. Gum disease occurs when plaque that has not been removed from the mouth, turns into hard tartar, thanks to the activity of harmful bacteria. Tartar cannot be removed by brushing; only the dental tools can achieve this. Tartar and the hundreds of bacteria in it cause tooth decay, creating periodontal pockets at the gum level. Worse still, the bacteria start attacking all tissues of the mouth, including the hard tissues, such as the jawbone. They keep going deep into the periodontal pockets, destroying the support of the teeth. As a result, teeth become loosened and they eventually fall out. Heavy tooth loss is the worst-case scenario of gum disease. That is why early intervention is important.

Columbia Pike Family Dentistry is a top notch and repute dental office serving the people in and around Arlington, VA. At this dental office, patients can expect to undergo a relaxing and satisfying. Read more on: Arlington Dentists.