| Gum disease believe it or not, can be avoided or at | | | | of a mess. The end prognosis... a lot of teeth will be |
| worst managed at a level where it doesn't affect | | | | lost in the process which surprisingly can occur over a |
| your quality of life. Take it from someone who has | | | | short period of time. |
| experienced gum disease at it's worst, brush and | | | | More Gum Nasties! |
| floss your teeth at least twice a day; it will be worth | | | | But that's not all! Sure signs of gum disease include |
| it in the long run! | | | | red, swollen and bleeding gums, bad breath, abcesses |
| What Is Gum Disease? | | | | which form between both teeth and gums and of |
| Gum or periodontal disease is described as the | | | | course, teeth beginning to lose their solid foundations |
| inflammation and infection of the gums. Plaque build | | | | within the gums. What does this mean? Well, it |
| up on the teeth becomes hard and is known as | | | | means a lot of pain and discomfort, thousands and |
| calculus. This is a real danger sign for people because | | | | thousands of dollars in treatment and depending on |
| left untreated, serious complications will arise over a | | | | how you look at it, usually a pretty happy dentist |
| period of time. Let me give you a "ball-by-ball" | | | | only in the fact that you are keeping him or her in |
| description of exactly what can happen: | | | | business. |
| - The bacteria in the plaque can damage the gums | | | | Your Dentist Is Your Greatest Ally |
| leading to gingivitis. Okay, it's a nasty sounding | | | | In all seriousness though, the dentist is your greatest |
| description but the good news is that it can be | | | | ally in warding off the destruction of periodontitis. |
| treated. | | | | Forget the old wive's tale that visiting a dentist |
| - If left untreated, periodontitis, an advanced level of | | | | usually results in a lot of pain both physically and |
| gum disease "will come knocking" and trust me, it's | | | | financially. When it comes to severe gum disease, the |
| not a friendly visitor. In fact, periodontitis just doesn't | | | | dentist is like your "vampire slayer." Frequent |
| visit but sets about to not only seriously damage | | | | examinations will involve thorough scanning of your |
| both teeth and gums, but eats away at the bone | | | | teeth and gums. If there is any calculus build up |
| supporting the teeth. Ouch! | | | | present then it can be scraped away. |
| - Over time, the inflammation gets worse, the | | | | Remember, the calculus build up is ugly enough but |
| infection more severe, gum pockets begin to form | | | | it's only the first step in the evolution of gum disease. |
| because of the receding bone line and worse still, the | | | | Regular checks will keep calculus build up under |
| gums begin to back off from the teeth. | | | | control; ignoring regular dental check-ups is like putting |
| - If the above wasn't bad enough, teeth begin to | | | | up a neon light in your mouth inviting "Count" |
| loosen, decay sets in, pain and discomfort becomes | | | | periodontitis to visit. Believe me, you do not want |
| more frequent and it a nutshell, it becomes one hell | | | | anything to do with it! |