The Problems with Periodontal Disease
Colorado Advanced Dentistry’s Periodontal Disease Treatments
You might think periodontal disease only affects your gums. But you’d be wrong. Colorado Advanced Dentistry wants you to understand how gum disease interacts with the rest of your body and why it is so critical to directly address your condition. For Lakewood, CO residents, periodontal disease doesn’t merely impact your self-confidence due to the pockets that form in your gum line; it also seeps into your overall systemic health. It can wreak havoc on your body’s systems and seriously complicate your recovery. Our dental specialists want to emphasize how essential it is to be proactive and listen to what we say. Doing so will compensate for many of the problems arising from periodontal disease, many of which we’ll cover below.
Periodontal Disease and Diabetes
One of the most significant health concerns attached to periodontal disease is diabetes. While there is no evidence gum disease causes diabetes, there is a proven connection between the two. Those with periodontal disease experience inflammation and degradation of the gum line and teeth. Diabetes hinders healing capabilities. As a result, those with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes struggle to fight infections and inflammations. Colorado Advanced Dentistry sees patients with diabetes and periodontal disease, so we understand how crucial it is to treat gum diseases like periodontitis and gingivitis. If you have diabetes and gum disease, please schedule an appointment with Colorado Advanced Dentistry. We can devise a treatment plan for you.
Don’t Allow Gum Disease to Hurt Your Heart
Another risk factor associated with periodontal disease is heart disease. While the link is not conclusive, there is enough evidence to suggest it is worth it to patients to be mindful of how gum disease might harm their heart health. Some studies have suggested the bacteria found in infected gums can make its way into your bloodstream. If this happens, the bacteria could seriously hinder your heart’s ability to do its job. We encourage all our patients to take care of themselves and follow their gum disease treatment regimen to avoid the potential ramifications.
How Your Mouth is Impacted by Periodontal Diseases
Systemic diseases aren’t the only problems associated with periodontal disease. Your teeth and gums are the primary recipient of the harm caused by gum disease. If we diagnose you with gingivitis, take to heart the knowledge gingivitis is treatable and reversible. If you’ve received this diagnosis, you must take immediate steps to change your oral hygiene and eating and drinking habits. Doing so will prevent gingivitis from morphing into periodontitis.
As for periodontitis, there are severe consequences associated with the disease. Because it aggressively targets your gums, periodontitis presents a clear and present danger to the stability of your teeth themselves. Many patients with periodontitis end up having teeth removed as a result of the illness. We don’t want that to happen to you.
Be Prepared: Know the Signs of Periodontal Disease
Understanding the root causes of periodontal disease is crucial, and so is being aware of the potential ramifications on your dental and bodily health. But that’s only half the battle. It helps to be able to self-diagnose, so you know when it’s time to contact Colorado Advanced Dentistry to schedule an appointment. Great oral hygiene not only involves brushing and flossing, it also includes being aware of your body and paying attention to how your teeth and gums look. Be on the lookout for any of the following symptoms:
- Red, swollen, and tender gums
- Bleeding gums during or following brushing your teeth
- Receding gums (teeth that look longer than they used to)
- Loose or separating teeth
- Pus between your gums and teeth
- Sores inside your mouth
- Bad breath
- Changes to how your teeth fit when you bite
- Changes to the fit of partial dentures
Contact Colorado Advanced Dentistry for an Appointment
Colorado Advanced Dentistry is a full service, comprehensive dental practice. We use compassionate and time-tested dental techniques to treat a variety of dental illnesses in our patients. We’re experts in the treatment of periodontal diseases like periodontitis and gingivitis. For more information about Colorado Advanced Dentistry and to schedule an appointment with one of our dentists, contact us today. Don’t allow periodontal disease to make a negative impact on your life.