The Risks of Not Treating Gum Disease

Gum disease or periodontal disease is an infection of the tissues that hold the teeth in place. Generally, this disease comes from poor brushing habits and incorrect use of dental floss, which makes plaque, a sticky layer made up of bacteria, build up on the teeth and harden. In advanced stages, gum disease can cause pain and bleeding of the gums, pain when chewing and even the loss of the teeth.

In this post, we’ll explain what gum disease is and what its stages are, the long-term effects of not treating it on your oral and general health, how to prevent gum disease with daily tips and habits and the treatments available to treat it and avoid complications.

What is gum disease and what are its stages?

Gum disease is divided into two main stages: gingivitis and periodontitis.

• Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gums caused by the build-up of plaque on the teeth. The gums look red, swollen and can bleed easily when brushing or using dental floss. Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease that can be reversed with good oral hygiene and regular cleanings by a dentist or dental hygienist. If it isn’t treated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis.

• Periodontitis is a more serious infection that affects the bone and the connective tissue that hold the teeth in place. The gums separate from the teeth and form pockets that fill with bacteria and pus. The bone and the tissue deteriorate and the teeth loosen and can fall out. Periodontitis can have serious consequences for oral and general health, as the bacteria can pass into the bloodstream and affect other organs.

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The long-term effects of not treating gum disease on your oral and general health

Not treating gum disease can have negative effects both on your mouth and on your body. Some of these effects are:

• Loss of teeth: Periodontitis can cause the irreversible loss of the bone and the tissue that hold the teeth in place, which makes them move and fall out. This affects people’s aesthetics, function and self-esteem.
• Bad breath: The build-up of bacteria, plaque and tartar on the teeth and the gums produces an unpleasant smell that isn’t removed by brushing or mouthwash.
• Cavities: The plaque that forms on the teeth contains acids that erode the tooth enamel and cause cavities. Cavities can cause pain, sensitivity and infections if they aren’t treated in time.
• Systemic diseases: Gum disease can increase the risk of suffering from other diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer’s or premature births. This is because the bacteria that cause the infection can pass into the bloodstream and reach other organs or tissues.

How to prevent gum disease: Daily tips and habits

The best way to prevent gum disease is to maintain good oral hygiene and visit the dentist regularly. Some daily tips and habits that will help you look after your gums are:

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day, preferably after every meal, with a fluoride toothpaste. Use a soft or electric brush and make soft, circular movements over the teeth and the gums.
• Use dental floss at least once a day to remove the plaque and food debris that get stuck between the teeth and that the brush can’t reach. Pass the floss gently through the space between each tooth and below the gum line.
• Rinse your mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash to reduce the bacteria and bad breath. Choose a product that doesn’t contain alcohol, as it can dry out the mouth and favour the growth of bacteria.
• Avoid tobacco, alcohol and sugar, as they’re factors that favour the inflammation and infection of the gums, as well as the appearance of cavities and stains on the teeth.
• Follow a balanced diet rich in vitamins that strengthen your immune system and your oral health. Eat foods such as fruit, vegetables, dairy products, fish, nuts or green tea, which have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antibacterial properties.
• Visit the dentist at least once a year for a check-up and a professional cleaning. The dentist will be able to detect and treat any gum problem before it gets worse and will give you personalised advice to improve your oral hygiene.

The treatments available to treat gum disease and avoid complications

The treatment of gum disease will depend on the degree of the condition and the general state of health of the patient. The goal is to eliminate the infection, control the inflammation, restore the damaged tissue and prevent recurrence. Some of the treatments available are:

• Scaling and root planing: It’s a procedure that consists of removing the tartar and the bacteria that build up in the periodontal pockets and smoothing the surface of the roots to make the gums adhere more easily. It’s done with local anaesthetic and may require several sessions.
• Periodontal surgery: It’s a surgical intervention that’s carried out when scaling and root planing isn’t enough to eliminate the infection or when there’s a severe loss of bone or tissue. It consists of lifting the gums to access the periodontal pockets, cleaning them, filling them with bone grafts or tissues if necessary and putting the gums back in their original position. It’s done with local anaesthetic or conscious sedation and requires careful post-operative care.
• Laser therapy: It’s a less invasive alternative to periodontal surgery that uses a beam of light to remove the infected tissue, reduce the size of the periodontal pockets and stimulate the regeneration of the bone and the tissue. It’s done with or without local anaesthetic and has fewer risks of bleeding, pain and inflammation.
• Medications: In some cases, medications such as antibiotics, antiseptics or anti-inflammatories can be prescribed to complement the mechanical or surgical treatment. These medications can come in the form of tablets, mouthwashes, gels or microspheres that are placed in the periodontal pockets.

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What happens if you don’t treat gum disease? The long-term consequences

If you don’t treat gum disease, you can suffer serious consequences both in your mouth and in your body. Some of these consequences are:

• Loss of teeth: Periodontitis can cause the irreversible loss of the bone and the tissue that hold the teeth in place, which makes them move and fall out. This affects people’s aesthetics, function and self-esteem. In addition, it can make the placement of dental implants or fixed dentures to replace the lost teeth difficult.
• Bad breath: The build-up of bacteria, plaque and tartar on the teeth and the gums produces an unpleasant smell that isn’t removed by brushing or mouthwash.
• Cavities: The plaque that forms on the teeth contains acids that erode the tooth enamel and cause cavities. Cavities can cause pain, sensitivity and infections if they aren’t treated in time.
• Systemic diseases: Gum disease can increase the risk of suffering from other diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer’s or premature births. This is because the bacteria that cause the infection can pass into the bloodstream and affect other organs or tissues.

As you can see, not treating gum disease can have negative effects both on your oral health and on your general health. That’s why it’s important that you go to the dentist regularly to prevent and treat this condition. At the Clínica Dental Doctores Tarazona we have a team of professionals specialising in periodontics who’ll offer you the best treatment to look after your gums and your smile. Book your appointment today and enjoy a healthy and beautiful mouth.

At Clínica Dental Doctores Tarazona:

                                            “We Love Looking After Your Smile”