Gum disease is more common in the American population than you might think. The American Dental Association estimates that nearly 47% of people over the age of 30 have some degree of gum disease. The resulting inflammation and infection can have a serious negative impact on your oral health.
The earliest stage of gum disease is known as gingivitis. Common symptoms include red or inflamed gums that bleed easily during brushing and flossing as well as issues with chronic bad breath. In many cases, gingivitis can be treated and reversed by having one of Amber Leaf Family Dental’s dentists perform a thorough dental cleaning. Serious improvements to your daily oral hygiene routine will then be required to keep tartar from reforming on your teeth.
Left unchecked gingivitis can develop into a more advanced form of gum disease known as periodontitis. This level of infection in the gum tissue can cause your gums to recede from the base of your teeth. This allows pockets of infection to form deep within the gum tissues and pose a threat to the roots of your teeth.
The systemic inflammation caused by periodontitis can also have a negative effect on your immune system. Continuing research has found that this can be related to other medical conditions including diabetes, heart disease and certain types of cancer. It’s important to understand that while the periodontal disease cannot cause these conditions, they do seem to have some level of impact or can limit your treatment options.
If you have questions or concerns about gum disease you should call Amber Leaf Family Dental’s office in Bloomington, Minnesota at 952.881.0504 to seek treatment.