The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that gum disease affects more than 64 million American adults. Gum disease can pose a threat to your overall health and if left untreated, it can have negative long-term repercussions on your entire body not just your mouth. With that being said, gum disease is not something that should be taken lightly. To better understand gum disease and its effects, take a look at the information below so you can better combat this oral illness.
Gum Disease advances in 3 stages:
The first stage is gingivitis – this occurs as a result of plaque buildup and other bacteria infecting your gums. At this stage, the illness is the easiest to treat.
The second stage is periodontitis – pockets start to form under your gumline at this stage. This leads to food particles and plaque being trapped within the pockets, causing irreversible damage to your jawbone and other periodontal fibers.
The third stage is advanced periodontitis – in this final stage, frequent tooth loss occurs since the structural integrity of your mouth has been compromised. There is no treatment that can repair this damage, but steps can be taken to help minimize and manage ongoing issues.
Effects of gum disease
Other than the typical side effects that gum disease causes like bleeding gums, tooth loss, and all-around pain in the oral region. Gum disease will start to produce inflammation that can start to spread throughout the body causing further damage that can lead to other major illnesses like:
Heart attack
Rheumatoid arthritis
Heart disease
Dementia
Premature birth
Diabetes
Schedule a consultation today No one should suffer from the effects of untreated gum disease. Thankfully, Dr. HagShenas at Silicon Valley Smile Solutions located in San Jose, California, happens to offer laser dentistry to help treat this type of oral illness. Contact our offices today to schedule an appointment to speak with Dr. HagShenas to find what steps should be taken to help your stage of gum disease.