About 80% of adults between the ages of 20 and 60 have various degrees of gum disease, from gingivitis to periodontitis. Luckily, periodontal infection is highly treatable in the earliest stages. Unfortunately, once it develops and advances to the severe point, controlling the infection becomes a part of your dental health that you’ll have to struggle with if you want to keep your teeth. Aside from being a major contributor to adult tooth loss, periodontitisis is also a suspected instigator in a number of systemic illnesses such as heart disease, strokes, pre-term labor, and various forms of dementia. If you desire to protect your oral and systemic health from the dangers of severe gum disease, Des Moines dentist, Dr. Burds, will explain how the chronic disease develops, and what steps you should take if you are afflicted.
The Beginning of Periodontitis
Periodontitis wages destruction on your teeth, gums and jaw, even if it starts small. Neglecting your daily dental self-care routine can lead to the excessive buildup of plaque, which is full of damaging bacteria. Although there are over 600 identifiable kinds of bacteria in your mouth, many are harmless to your dental health. Other germs, however, can destroy your oral structure, including gum tissue and jawbone. The germ responsible for gum disease – Porphyromonas gingivalis – survives in your mouth by manipulating your immune system’s inflammatory response.Excessive inflammation ensues in your periodontal tissues. You may start with red, swollen, and often bleeding gums as your earliest symptoms. At this stage (better known as gingivitis) the periodontal infection is highly treatable through comprehensive periodontal therapy and an improved effort in your oral hygiene routine.
Keep Up with Checkups
Once decay erodes your tooth’s structure and germs attack your gum tissues, you might figure there’s no hope. By removing the infection and reinforcing the remaining healthy tooth structure, Dr. Burds may be able to save your tooth. However, periodontitis starts to attack the foundations which support your mouth. Once your jawbone tissue starts to diminish and your gums recede enough, they will no longer hold on firmly to your teeth. The sooner you attain treatment for your gum disease, whatever stage it’s at, the better. Make sure not to neglect your dental checkups every six months.
Improve Your Periodontal Health with Des Moines Dentist
To learn more about treating or preventing periodontitis, schedule a consultation with your Des Moines dentist by calling Gateway Dental Group at (515) 244-9565. Located in the 50309 area, we proudly welcome patients from Des Moines, River Bend, Kirkwood Glen, East Village, and neighboring communities.