Were you aware that as many as 80% of people in the world have gum disease and are not even aware that they have the ailment? It’s true. This is because nearly all of the early symptoms are completely painless. It takes a while before the symptoms become more noticeable. If you notice that you have any of the early symptoms, you need to come in and see us right away. Ignoring them will not make the problem go away on its own. Instead, it could put you at higher risk for other problems, and not just ones that affect your oral health.
Early Symptoms of Gum Disease
The first symptom of early stage gum disease is having gums that get puffy from swelling. Many people believe that if they do not see puffed up gums around all of their teeth, this is not gum disease. However, this is not the case. You can have just a little bit of swelling in one part of your mouth and still have gum disease. Another symptom is bleeding gums. This is harder to ignore, as you see it when you spit out your toothpaste. This could be due to an oral injury, but if it does not go away in a few days, you should come in and get checked.
Risks of Untreated Gum Disease
By leaving gum disease alone, it will progressively get worse. The gums will go from inflamed to infected, and the bones and ligaments that hold your teeth will begin to give way. This puts you at risk of tooth loss. You also have an increased risk of medical problems. You could develop heart disease or diabetes. If you were to get pregnant, it could cause risks to you and the baby, such as preterm delivery. Your risk of stroke increases, as does your risk of bacterial pneumonia. It can be easy to treat if caught early, but the longer it goes, the harder it becomes to treat.
Do you think you could have gum disease? If so, contact us here at Holman Family Dentistry today. We will set up a time to talk with you and to have a look around your mouth. If it turns out that you do have it, we will work out a treatment plan with you and go from there on how to best treat your ailment to restore the health of your mouth.
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