Understanding the Complications of Untreated Gum Disease
You might think gum disease is just a minor inconvenience that can be ignored or brushed off, literally and figuratively. However, if it is not treated, it can cause problems outside your mouth.
Understanding these risks can help you take the necessary steps to protect your health.
What Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease (periodontal disease) starts as gingivitis, a mild form of inflammation of the gums. It’s caused by plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that forms on your teeth. Plaque can become tartar and cause more discomfort and inflammation if not removed by frequent brushing and flossing.
Signs such as bleeding when you brush or red and puffy gums may become apparent at this point. While these signs may seem harmless, they are early indicators of a problem that can escalate quickly if not addressed.
How Does Gum Disease Progress?
When gingivitis isn’t treated, it can advance to periodontitis, a much more severe stage of gum disease that can have significant consequences for oral health.
For instance, periodontitis arises when pockets are created by the inner layer of gum and bone pulling away from the teeth. The pockets can become infected, and in the process, the bone and connective tissue that anchors your teeth may decay. Finally, it may culminate in toothlessness.
But the effects of untreated gum disease don’t stop there. The infection can spread beyond your gums, impacting other areas of your health in unexpected ways.
Complications of Untreated Gum Disease
Tooth Loss
One of the most immediate and visible consequences of untreated gum disease is tooth loss. As periodontitis advances, the supporting structures of your teeth deteriorate. The teeth grow loose and may eventually fall out or need to be extracted when the gums recede.
Tooth loss isn’t just an aesthetic issue—it affects your ability to chew, speak, and maintain a balanced diet. The shifting of surrounding teeth, which results in new gaps and misalignments, might cause further oral health issues when teeth are lost.
Bone Loss
Gum disease has the potential to harm the alveolar bone, which is the bone that supports your teeth. When the infection reaches the bone, it begins to break down, leading to a loss of bone density and structure.
Bone loss is particularly concerning because it’s irreversible. Once the bone is lost, it cannot regenerate independently, weakening the foundation for your remaining teeth. This can make replacing lost teeth with dental implants difficult, as there may not be enough bone to support them.
Increased Risk of Heart Disease
One recent study found an important and startling link between gum disease and heart health. Researchers established that bacteria that cause periodontal diseases can be transferred to the bloodstream to cause inflammation in other body parts, including arteries.
This inflammation can lead to hardening of the artery walls, buildup of fatty substances, and atherosclerosis. Anything that causes your arteries to narrow raises your risk of heart attack, stroke or any other cardiovascular diseases.
Diabetes Complications
This decreases blood supply to the tissues and could also make the treatment of gum disease a complex process. It can also make it harder to control blood sugar in those with diabetes. The chronic inflammation caused by periodontitis can interfere with your body’s ability to use insulin, leading to higher blood sugar levels.
It might be challenging to escape the vicious loop that gum disease and high blood sugar can cause one another. This makes it even more critical to manage gum health if you have diabetes.
Respiratory Issues
Bacteria from gums can also be inhaled into the lungs, leading to respiratory infections and complications.
People who already have lung diseases like asthma or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) should be especially concerned about this.
The inflammation and infection caused by these bacteria can worsen lung conditions, making breathing harder and increasing the risk of severe respiratory illnesses.
Pregnancy Complications
Pregnancy has also been associated with gum disease. Women suffering from periodontal disease, if left untreated, possess risks of preterm birth, low birth weight and preeclampsia.
Gingivitis can cause inflammation and bacterial growth, and the immune response to the condition may result in complications. If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, maintaining your gum health is crucial for your well-being and your baby’s.
How to Prevent and Treat Gum Disease
The good news is that gum disease is preventable and treatable, especially when caught early. Here are some steps you can take to protect your gums and overall health:
- Practise Good Oral Hygiene
Brushing and flossing your teeth at least two times daily with fluoride toothpaste are the cornerstones of gum disease prevention. These habits help remove plaque before it can harden into tartar and cause irritation.
- Regular Dental Checkups
One must regularly visit a dentist, as they can diagnose gum disease at its initial stage. Your Cheltenham dentist will clean your teeth for you to remove tartar and observe symptoms of inflammation. You need to seek a dentist to avoid the deterioration of gum disease and to have a checkup of your oral health.
- Quit Smoking
Tobacco use in any form is one of the prime causes of gum disease. It suppresses your immune system and causes your body to be vulnerable to bacterial contagions that affect your gums. As a matter of fact and fact, smoking cessation can decrease periodontitis and enhance total health.
- Manage Underlying Health Conditions
If you have diabetes or another condition that increases your risk of gum disease, it’s essential to manage it effectively. For example, controlling blood sugar levels can help reduce inflammation and protect your gums.
- Consider Professional Treatments
Sometimes, your dentist may recommend more advanced treatments to address gum disease. These could include deep cleaning procedures like scaling and root planing or surgical interventions to repair damaged gums and bone.
Understanding the complications of untreated gum disease is the first step in taking control of your oral health. Don’t wait until the problem becomes severe—take action today to protect your gums, teeth, and overall well-being.
Gum Disease Treatment in Cheltenham
Schedule a dental checkup to assess your gum health and discuss any concerns you might have.
If you’ve noticed symptoms like bleeding gums, loose teeth, and persistent or bad breath, it’s time to seek professional care.
By addressing gum disease early, you can avoid the severe complications that can arise when left untreated.
At Dentist On Warrigal Cheltenham, we believe everyone deserves excellent quality dentistry, and our goal is to help you achieve this.
Call (03) 9583 5506 or make your appointment online.
Visit us at Suite C, 151 Centre Dandenong Road in Cheltenham.