If you’re 30 or older, you’re at a higher risk of a dental problem that can claim your teeth or ruin your overall health. The problem is gum disease, and it’s more serious and far-reaching than you may know. Our Nashua, NH dentist office is trained in all aspects of general dentistry and treating infections.
Gum disease is a problem that will affect about 50 percent of all adults over the age of 30. This problem typically starts small with bleeding or swollen gums, but it can become a major problem if left untreated. If you have soreness or bleeding in the gums, you need to call our dental office ASAP at 603-244-4836.
The Dangerous Effects of Gum Disease
Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. It claims more teeth than dental decay or trauma. The reasons gum disease claims so many teeth is because it can strike with little to no warning and quickly spread around the mouth. The first stage of gum disease is called gingivitis. A few signs include bleeding, tenderness in the gums, tooth sensitivity, or even bad breath.
If left untreated, gingivitis can balloon into periodontitis, the most severe form of gum disease. Periodontitis will created an infectious pocket between the gum and tooth, eventually causing the teeth and gums to pull apart. And the infection can continue to the bone to cause the tooth to become loss or fail.
Advanced gum disease is scary for other two reasons:
- It’s not curable. You can reverse the early stages of gum disease, but advanced gum disease is not curable. You’ll need care forever, or eventually, the disease will claim many or all of your teeth.
- It’s linked to serious illnesses. Recent studies have found that gum disease is linked to serious medical issues like heart disease and diabetes. Though there is no cause-and-effect relationship, all of these problems deal with inflammation.
Important facts about gum disease:
- About 50 percent of Americans over the age of 30 will have gum disease.
- About 70 percent of Americans 65 and older will have gum disease.
Treating Gum Disease
Nashua Family Dentistry is treating gum disease with a system known as scaling and root planing. This is a system of removing the dangerous plaque and the tartar for beneath the gum line. This is an additional service to dental cleanings and exams, also known as a deep cleaning.
Whenever we clean beneath the gum line, we’ll numb the gums, which we can often do with a topical gel. We’ll then remove the plaque and tartar and place antibiotics to reduce the risk of the infection returning. If you have problems with gum disease, we’ll ask to see you in the office about once every three to four months to monitor the infection.
Treating your gum disease means keeping your teeth and your body healthy. You can start by giving us a call today at 603-244-4836 or using the online form to schedule a visit.
