Want to understand what gum disease can do to one’s mouth? Once someone is diagnosed with this oral disease, there are many ways it can cause them to experience bad overall dental health. Patients who are diagnosed can ask their general dentist any specific questions they have about preventing and treating gum disease, as prevention is the key to good oral health.
Understanding how gum disease starts is a great idea, as this can help dental patients know how to prevent themselves from being diagnosed with gum disease in the first place. There are four main stages of gum disease: gingivitis, slight periodontal disease, moderate periodontal disease and advanced periodontal disease. Gingivitis is the first stage, which starts due to poor oral care habits. When one’s teeth are not properly cared for, plaque will begin to build up, which turns into a hard substance known as tartar. When gum disease is not addressed in a timely manner, it will eventually cause damage to one’s soft tissues and bone tissue.
When gum disease goes untreated, it will not go away and instead will only continue to worsen over time. This is due to the ongoing infection in one’s mouth, which means their mouth is full of bad bacteria. Infections also cause inflammation, which further declines one’s oral health. The fact that gum disease can cause many different types of damage to one’s mouth makes it essential to make regular dental appointments to ensure one’s oral health is in good shape.
Gum disease will eventually cause damage to one’s soft tissues in the mouth, which essentially means that they will lose a certain amount of gum tissue. Gum recession is to be avoided, as when the gums begin to recede, there is not only a loss of gum tissue, but it also exposes the roots of one’s teeth which can lead to their experiencing even more problems. When the gum line begins to recede, they may be in need of a soft tissue graft in order to repair any soft tissue damage.
Cases of severe gum disease often lead to one experiencing bone damage. This type of damage occurs when one experiences deep pockets of gum disease, which will eventually lead to their experiencing some degree of bone loss. It is possible for an experienced dentist to recontour the bone by performing pocket reduction surgery. Since it is possible for gum disease to destroy the bone surrounding the roots of the teeth, when this type of damage happens, bone grafting is often the next step.
Now that you have read the above information, it is understood that gum disease can damage the soft tissues in the mouth, as well as the bone. Since experiencing any type of mouth damage means one does not have a healthy mouth, it is essential for everyone to make regular dental check-up appointments to be aware of the current health of their gums.
Request an appointment here: http://www.drmccawley.com or call James R McCawley DDS at (615) 526-2497 for an appointment in our Murfreesboro office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Gum Disease in Murfreesboro, TN.
Thinking about getting an oral cancer sceening? Oral cancer screenings are a very important part of general dental care as they ensure the health of patient's oral cavity. They involve a few steps that are typically painless. Understanding the process of an oral cancer screening can be helpful for patients who are not sure what…
Wondering what the signs of oral cancer are? General dentists are specifically trained in performing oral cancer screenings and thus know exactly what to look for. Dental patients can also check for signs in between screenings.Learning how general dentists perform oral cancer screenings will help dental patients know what to expect when undergoing this important…
Some people may not realize how improper oral care can have a negative impact on their overall health. Untreated tooth decay does not heal without treatment and usually worsens over time. When those with multiple cavities ignore their dental needs, they may be putting themselves at risk for a variety of other medical problems, some…
Need a restorative dentist? Do you have an awkward smile? Have you been told by friends and family that your teeth need some attention? If so, don't worry! Many dentists can help. One option is to see a dentist who offers restorative treaetments. This type of dentistry will provide the best options for restoring your…
Need a restorative dentist? Do you have an awkward smile? Have you been told by friends and family that your teeth need some attention? If so, don't worry! Many dentists can help. One option is to see a dentist who offers restorative treaetments. This type of dentistry will provide the best options for restoring your…
Dental phobia is typically classified as a more severe form of dental anxiety. It leads many people to avoid visiting the dentist altogether, and those who do visit the dentist battle through fear and severe anxiety. The good news is that there are effective ways for a general dentist to help patients who struggle with…