Oral Health is vital to the prevention of diseases not only within the mouth, but also through the body. The health of your teeth and gums could cause or prevent you from developing conditions such as cardiovascular disease. Patients who develop periodontal disease have a higher probability of developing heart complications, according to the American Dental Association. If you wish to discover more about medical conditions connected to your teeth and gums, you should contact Dr. George Braithwaite DMD today.
Periodontal Disease and Its Effects
In the beginning stages of periodontal disease, the patient will show signs of gingivitis. This condition leads to bleeding and swelling of the gums. As it progresses, the patient is likely to develop infections within their gums and their teeth may become loose. The first line of defense is to treat the infection and develop strategies to prevent tooth loss. Dentists typically recommend medicated mouthwash to prevent the further development of gingivitis.
Risk Factors Associated with Gum Disease
Patients who smoke heighten their risk of gum disease. Smoking leads to the development of cancer and heart disease. It also causes detrimental damage to the teeth and gums. By quitting you can prevent these developments as well as eliminating periodontal disease.
Diabetes, medications, and a family history attribute to the likelihood that a patient will develop this condition. Patients should acquire further check-ups when these conditions exist. The dentist can determine the most effective options to fight gum disease. In some cases, this could require scaling of the gums. Proper Oral Health can stop gum disease before it begins to spread.
If left untreated, gingivitis will become periodontal disease. At this point, plaque build-up coats the teeth around the gum lines. The gums will recede away from the teeth and begin to expose the nerves. This can lead to breaking of the teeth or severe cavities. It is likely that the dentist will need to perform extractions for some teeth to eliminate this disease. It could also lead to extraction of all teeth. For this reason, the patient should schedule an appointment with their dentist at the first signs of these conditions.
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