The Dentist Chesterton Trusts Wants You to Know the Warning Signs of Gum Disease
Gum disease. Not a particularly pleasant topic to think about or read about. And certainly not a condition any of us here at Smiles of Chesterton want our patients to have to contend with. That’s why your Chesterton, IN family dentist thinks it’s important for you to know the basics about gum, or periodontal, disease as well as the warning signs. Caught early, gum disease is treatable, and reversing the effects of gum disease is not only critical to your oral health, but it may also have an impact on your general health, too.
If you had to guess how many American adults have some degree of gum disease, what would you say? The statistics are rather shocking. Reliable studies estimate that nearly 80 percent of us have gum disease. In fact, this bacterial infection is the number one reason for tooth loss in the U.S.
So, how can you tell if you have gum disease? There are some outward signs that you may be able to see, such as gums that are red and swollen. Also, if your gums bleed when you try to floss, then this can be an indicator of gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease.
Other signs of periodontal disease that may be indicative of periodontitis, the latter and more serious form of the infection include:
- Bad breath
- Receding gums
- Pain when you chew or bite down
- Sensitive teeth
- Loose teeth
Ultimately, periodontitis can necessitate tooth extraction. Thus, the need to treat gum disease, whether gingivitis or periodontitis, cannot be over-emphasized. Moreover, the effects of gum disease are not only restricted to your mouth. The disease-causing bacteria can enter your bloodstream (when your gums bleed) or your respiratory system (when you inhale) and lead to systemic health problems. These can include:
- Heart disease and heart attack
- Diabetes
- Alzheimer’s
- Stroke
- Osteoarthritis
- Dementia
- Pregnancy complications
Your Dentist in Northwest Indiana Treats Gum Disease
If we detect gum disease at one of your dental checkups, then professional treatment may be necessary. We can perform a procedure called root scaling and planing, which removes plaque and tartar from above and below the gum line. Your role, of course, maintains a strict schedule of brushing and flossing at home to reduce the number of bacteria in your mouth and clear away plaque.
Call Our Office Today
If you’re seeing the early signs of gum disease, then schedule an appointment immediately at Smiles of Chesterton. With offices in Chesterton, IN, we also conveniently serve people from Portage, Porter, La Porte, Michigan City, and Wheeler and nearby NWI cities.