Daily oral care is vital to overall health. Food debris can quickly build up in the mouth, which can lead to many serious issues. One such condition is periodontal disease, an infection of the gums and other structures around teeth. This infection causes a loss of the normal tissues surrounding the teeth that support them. It can worsen throughout the course of three stages: gingivitis, periodontitis, and advanced periodontitis which leads wobbly teeth which eventually are lost.
Early Warning Signs
It’s important to pay attention to early warning signs that may be occurring in order to prevent the onset of periodontal disease. Just because some of these symptoms are painless doesn’t mean they aren’t amounting to serious damage!
Pay close attention to your gums as you are brushing and flossing twice a day. If they are bleeding and feel tender during your oral care routine, have a closer look inside your mouth. This is the first stage of the disease, known as gingivitis. Take note if your gums appear swollen, red, and appear to be receding away from teeth, as this may indicate the second stage of the disease, periodontitis.
If you feel as though you have a constant bad taste in your mouth, or you often experience bad breath, this is also cause for concern. In advanced periodontitis, the third and most advanced stage of the disease, teeth can also become loose.
Causes
Periodontal disease is caused by the buildup of plaque, a sticky substance that’s produced naturally by the body in the mouth as a response to the food we eat. Found on the teeth, plaque is a community of microorganisms (bacteria) that is complex in nature and, thus, hard to remove once it forms. Even though it can’t be seen, plaque can cause great harm to the mouth and body if not removed promptly.
How to prevent it?
Daily oral care and wellness is an absolute must, in order to prevent the build-up of bacteria from plaque that contributes to the onset of periodontal disease. Brushing and inter-dental cleaning, when done properly, are effective modes of preventative care. Be sure to choose quality products and have your dentist or hygienist show you how to brush and clean between your teeth correctly.
Visit your dentist at least once every six months for a professional cleaning. This must be done in order to remove plaque in harder to reach places, such as below the gum line. If you think you already have periodontal disease, it’s advised that you should have dental cleanings more often. You can visit the hygienist at Kingston Park Dental Practice without seeing a dentist through our ‘direct access’ programme. Visit www.KPteeth.co.uk/spring
Avoid smoking and the use of tobacco, as it can expedite the development of plaque build-up in your mouth. In fact, some smokers with periodontal disease are resistant to some forms of treatment because of this habit and smokers are more likely to loose teeth because of gum disease.
Other Diseases
New research is showing that there is a direct correlation between oral health and overall health. Inflammation of the gums caused by periodontal disease can cause bacteria from plaque to intensify. Because gums are full of blood vessels, the disruption of this sensitive layer allows bacteria to directly enter the bloodstream.
Recent studies, show that the condition of periodontal disease can lead to other serious systemic issues in the body. These include cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, adverse pregnancy outcomes (such as premature birth), and osteoporosis.
If you have questions or concerns on how periodontal disease affects your health, what the signs of periodontal disease are or want to arrange a check up and teeth cleaning contact us at Kingston Park Dental Practice to make an appointment today or for more information about gum disease, visit www.KPteeth.co.uk/perio