4 Reasons to Care About Your Gum Health
The early stages of gum disease may not seem serious, but they can lead to big problems if not addressed.
If you’ve ever visited the dentist for a routine cleaning and exam, no doubt you’ve heard the speech about the importance of brushing and flossing daily to help prevent gum disease and cavities. Yet according to the CDC, over half of all Americans over age 30 have the advanced form of gum disease, namely periodontitis. Obviously, something is getting lost in translation, causing individuals not to care enough about their gum health to keep up with their oral care or seek dental care for chronic infections. Here are 4 reasons to care about your gum health that will hopefully inspire you to step up your oral care routine.
Pain
Inflamed gums can be painful. Of course, this isn’t news to anyone who has had gum disease. However, because in the early stages the pain is likely to be triggered only by touching the gums, many people are able to ignore it. If flossing causes bleeding, they just stop flossing. Unfortunately, this approach will only allow the condition to worsen. Eventually the pain may become much worse, especially if the root of the tooth becomes infected.
Tooth Loss
Together, gum disease and dental caries (tooth decay) are the top causes of tooth loss in America. Gum disease can lead to tooth loss if it is allowed to advance to the point where the infection goes deep into the gum pockets and spreads to the tissue beneath the gums. Supportive tissues that help hold teeth in place will become damaged. Gums will recede, exposing more of the tooth to damage from plaque bacteria. Eventually the root of the tooth may become infected. The tooth could possibly still be saved with a root canal at this point, but if no dental care is sought eventually the tooth will be lost.
Beauty
Having a beautiful smile is a top priority for many people. Don’t let receding gums spoil your smile! Receding gums will not only make you look older, they may also make your teeth loose or unstable. If you have had veneers applied to your teeth, you need to be especially vigilant against receding gums because they will allow the edge of the veneer to show and completely spoil your smile. Depending on how bad the situation gets you may need surgery to correct receding gums.
General Health Concerns
Poor oral health, including gum disease, has been linked to other health problems like heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and rheumatoid arthritis, according to the American Academy of Periodontology. By keeping your gums healthy, you may be able to reduce your risk of these other problems.
