Dangers of Gum Disease

Diagram of periodontitis at Oregon Periodontics, P.C.

Gum disease is one of the more serious dental problems. Caused by poor oral hygiene, among other causes such as medication, use of tobacco, genetics, and others, it can do serious damage to your oral health. The effects of gum disease are, however, not just limited to affecting your oral health. If left untreated, gum disease can also have far-reaching effects on your overall health. At Oregon Periodontics, P.C., we offer several solutions to help treat gum disease. However, before we can talk about these solutions, it is important to understand the dangers of gum disease, and why you should seek help immediately if you notice its signs and symptoms.

The Dangers of Untreated Gum Disease

Untreated gum disease can have serious side effects on your health. The most common of these side effects are:

•	Teeth and jawbone loss—Gum disease starts with the bacterial infection of the gum tissue. If the condition is left untreated, the infection spreads to the jawbone—which supports your teeth. Therefore, there is a high risk of teeth and bone loss if you do not seek treatment for gum disease.
•	Increased risk of heart disease/attack—Several studies have shown that gum disease increases the risk of heart disease when the condition is left untreated for long. This is because the oral bacteria causing the infection can enter the bloodstream and find their way to the heart.
•	Increased risk of stroke—Just like with heart disease, gum disease can also increase the risk of a stroke. This because the infection from the oral bacteria can cause vascular inflammation, which can lead to stroke.
•	Risk of birth complications for women—When the oral bacteria that cause gum disease enters the bloodstream, they can also find their way to the uterus and attack the fetus—for pregnant women. This can cause an infection in the fetus, which can result in complications such as premature birth, low birth weight, among others.

Preventing the Long-Term Dangers of Gum Disease

There several dangers of gum disease and some of them can even be fatal. Fortunately, it is possible to avoid all these dangers by seeking proper treatment when you notice signs and symptoms of gum disease.

Some of the treatments that are available for gum disease include professional dental cleaning to get rid of plaque and tartar that builds up on the teeth, holding the oral bacteria in place. Antibiotics and other medication are also used to control and eliminate the infection.

If the gum disease has progressed, for example, attacking the jawbone and leading to tooth loss, several solutions are also available. These include dental implants to replace the missing teeth and grafting to regenerate the lost gum tissue and jawbone.

However, in addition to all these solutions, proper oral care is required to maintain the effects of the treatment and avoid the recurrence of the gum disease.

Untreated gum disease can lead to serious health problems, which can be expensive to treat, not to mention fatal. If you are suffering from gum disease, you should immediately seek medical attention. At Oregon Periodontics, P.C., we have several solutions that can help you overcome the condition. Call us today at (503) 575-7750 to learn more about these solutions.

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Excellent results due to enhanced vision & precision

Rapid healing & minimal discomfort

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Office Hours
Tuesday–Thursday
8:00 AM–3:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM–12:00 PM

Location
11786 Southwest Barnes Rd Suite 210
Portland, OR 97225-5925

Contact
Office: (503) 575-7750
Fax: (503) 531-3560

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