Gum disease not only affects over 75% of patients at some point in their lives, but it also remains a leading cause of tooth loss in adults today. Known as the “silent disease”, gum disease often goes unnoticed until the patient comes in for a visit to our Louisville, KY dental office, or it has advanced to periodontitis and is affecting the health of the teeth.

Dr. Westermann offers periodontal therapy and screens patients for gum disease during every routine preventive care visit to look for the early warning signs:

• Bleeding gums
• Red, swollen gums
• Receding gums
• Loose or shifting teeth
• Consistent bad breath

Early detection is key to preventing gum disease. This short video from the American Dental Association talks about the common signs of gum disease and what to expect during a periodontal screening with your dentist.

Maintaining healthy gums is important for healthy teeth. Advanced gum disease can affect the tooth roots and destroy the gum tissue that supports your teeth. Visiting Dr. Westermann twice a year for routine dental care provides the opportunity for her and her staff to spot early signs of gum disease and recommend conservative treatment. When caught early, at-home oral hygiene is often effective and can prevent progression of the disease.

Gum Disease Stages

Gum disease progresses through different stages, worsening as you go without addressing the issue. The longer you go without treatment, the more severe the condition gets.

Gingivitis

This is the first stage of gum disease and the only one that you can reverse. When you neglect oral hygiene, a sticky film of bacteria called plaque builds up on your teeth. When this occurs at the gumline, it irritates the soft tissue there, making it more sensitive, red, and likelier to bleed when you’re brushing or flossing. Since it’s virtually painless, many people have it without even realizing it. This is why it’s important to get regular checkups at the office.

The symptoms you usually see at this stage are gums that bleed far more easily than normal. If you’re bleeding multiple times a week when you brush or floss, it’s time to get it checked out. Treatment usually consists of more diligent oral healthcare. We may also recommend or prescribe an antibacterial mouth rinse or have you come into the office for more frequent cleanings.

Early Periodontitis

If you don’t brush and remove plaque from your teeth, it hardens into tartar. Unlike plaque, you can’t remove tartar with a normal toothbrush. It requires our specialized dental tools that are designed for things like this. You can no longer reverse the condition, either, just manage it. Damage starts to occur to the bone and soft tissue that hold your teeth in place.

You may notice chronic bad breath, soreness, and your gums may start to recede. Pockets form in between the gum tissue and jawbone, collecting bacteria and debris. A deep cleaning process called scaling and root planing is the treatment method we’ll use. We clean out the gum pockets and smooth down the tooth roots so that the tissue can reattach to the bone.

Moderate Periodontitis

The infection and inflammation destroy more of the supporting bone and connective tissue. The gum pockets deepen, collecting even more bacteria and debris. You might experience more sensitivity and discomfort when you’re biting or chewing food. The teeth may also start to feel loose. As with mild periodontitis, scaling and root planing are used at this stage.

Severe Periodontitis

At this point, there’s severe damage to the jawbone and gum tissue. Your gums ooze with pus and blood, it’s painful to speak or chew, and your teeth can loosen and even fall out. The infection enters the bloodstream at this point, traveling to other parts of your body. This can lead to systemic issues like heart disease and respiratory problems. At this stage, periodontal surgery or laser gum treatment are the only options to manage the condition.

The Full-Body Impact of Gum Disease

Many people don’t realize that gum disease can cause severe issues throughout the entire body. The mouth is an entryway to the entire body. When you get gum disease, there are issues with your gums bleeding, opening up ways for bacteria to get into the bloodstream and travel to the rest of the body.

One of the most prominent connections is between gum disease and heart conditions. Once bacteria enter the bloodstream, they inflame your blood vessels and cause plaque buildup, leading to an increased risk of heart attacks and other issues. 

When you have diabetes, you’re more likely to get gum infections. In turn, gum disease makes it harder to control your blood sugar levels. The conditions aggravate each other, creating a vicious cycle. The inflammation from gum disease increases insulin resistance.

Bacteria in your mouth can be inhaled and get into your lungs, causing conditions like pneumonia. If you already have respiratory conditions like asthma, gum disease can increase your chance of flare-ups and complications.

Many of the full-body issues can be attributed to increased inflammation throughout the body. Constantly having harmful bacteria and inflammation in your bloodstream strains the immune system, making you more vulnerable to illness. Chronic inflammation has links to conditions like certain cancers and Alzheimer’s.