Gum Disease is very serious; nonetheless, many people still ignore the signs and put seeking treatment for it on the back burner. Oftentimes, gum disease shows warning signs that are hard to miss, such as inflammation, bleeding, or redness. Whenever these signs are discovered, it is important to get to a general dentist right away to undergo treatment. Without treatment, one's oral health is put at severe risk.
Untreated gum disease complications
Outlined below are a few things that can happen when gum disease goes untreated. When debating whether or not to get treatment, it can be helpful to review the following information.
Advanced stages of gum disease
If gum disease goes untreated, the infection can become worse, which can lead to serious problems with the gums, teeth, and even jaw. Advanced stages of gum disease are known as periodontitis. The consequences that can come from periodontitis are far more severe than the early stages of gum disease.
Receding
Another thing that can happen when gum disease goes untreated is that the gums can begin to recede. When the infection gets worse, the gums begin to pull back, which results in the teeth looking longer and the gums looking shorter. Receding gums can produce irreversible damage that may require oral surgery and gum contouring to fix. In some rare cases, receded gums are not fixable.
Tooth loss
When gum disease becomes serious and does not get treated, the soft tissues become extremely weak, which can actually lead to tooth loss. When the soft tissues become weak, the support that they provide to the teeth also becomes weak. Support from the gums is necessary in order to keep the teeth held in place.
It is good to know that the gum disease has to be very severe in order for tooth loss to occur; however, it can happen. Because of this potential, it is necessary to get treatment as quickly as possible.
Jaw deterioration
Just like with the teeth, the jaw can become affected when gum disease goes untreated. Many people do not realize the role the jaw plays in oral health. It is responsible for holding the soft tissues in place, as well as the teeth. When gum disease goes untreated, the infection spreads to not only the teeth but also the jaw. Once in the jaw, it can eat away at the bone structure and result in jaw deterioration. When the jaw begins to deteriorate, it can result in dysfunction and poor aesthetics, both of which require extensive treatment to fix.
Find out more about gum disease
Gum disease is not something that should go ignored, which is why it is necessary to undergo a consultation with a general dentist if any signs are noticed. A consultation can determine what stage the gum disease is at, which will then dictate how the treatment process goes. Reach out today to learn more or to ask questions! We are here to help every step of the way.
Request an appointment here: https://crispinchangdds.com or call Santa Ana Dentistry at (714) 782-0357 for an appointment in our Santa Ana office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Gum Disease in Santa Ana, CA.
Recent Posts
Most people don't give a second thought to gum disease. However, while brushing your teeth, maybe you noticed a slightly pink tinge when you spat out. You also discovered some bleeding while flossing. Although minor bleeding may not seem like a severe problem, recurrent gum bleeding is a condition you should never ignore. Bleeding gums…
Using the right toothbrush is part of preventive dentistry. Your dental health is more secure if you have the right tool for cleaning your teeth and gums. An effective toothbrush can help you reach your dental health goals. If you want to know the basics of choosing the right toothbrush as part of preventive dentistry,…
Practicing preventive dentistry strategies can help you avoid serious dental problems. It can support your personal goals in keeping your gums and teeth healthy. Prevention is always better than going through treatments for serious dental problems. If you want to know how preventive dentistry can avoid the development of a serious oral problem, here are…
The goal of preventive dentistry is to keep teeth and gums clean and healthy in order to reduce the risk of cavities and other oral health concerns developing. It is a good idea to have a full understanding of how preventive dentistry can protect your smile and what services a dentist may recommend for cavity…