Chances are you’ve never really thought about gum disease
killing you. And in all likelihood, it probably won’t, but the possibility is
there.
Advanced periodontal disease is a severe form of gum disease that has reached
deep into the tissue and possibly to the jaw bones.
It is often characterized by receding gums, major changes in
the color of the gums, persistent bad breath, loose or loss of teeth, and
pockets of pus around the gums.
People usually reach this stage of gum disease by not
recognizing and treating the earlier stages.
The Lethality of
Advanced Periodontal Disease
On its own, advanced periodontal disease is not lethal.
Instead, infections caused by bacteria that also cause the periodontal disease
can lead to a lethal heart condition.
Bacterial endocarditis
is a disease whereby bacteria in another part of the body enters the
bloodstream and reaches the heart, specifically the valves and chambers of it.
This bacteria can cause harm to the heart, possibly leading to a heart attack
and death.
The overall likelihood of this happening is fairly low, but it
should still be considered as a good reason to have a Houston periodontist check
for periodontal disease on a regular basis.
Dangerous Diseases
Linked with Advanced Periodontal Disease
Advanced periodontal disease is not always the forefront disease. Sometimes it
is a symptom of a greater disease, such as diabetes.
Your mouth is a major indicator for your overall health, and
some diabetic patients learned of their diabetes through oral problems before
being officially diagnosed.
Diabetes, chronic bronchitis, and pulmonary fibrosis have all
been linked with gum disease. The gum disease is usually a symptom of one of
these major diseases, which can all have potentially life threatening
scenarios.
Treating Advanced
Periodontal Disease to Prolong Life
Treating advanced periodontal disease in Houston is one of the
key factors in preventing one of the other diseases from wreaking havoc.
Regular visits to your local Houston dentist every six
months as recommended by the American Dental Association will help you catch
gum disease very early on at its most treatable levels.
If gum disease does progress to the advanced stage, treatment
can be more invasive and uncomfortable. But not treating it will lead to far
more disastrous results.
Infections stemming from the disease can spread to jawbones,
and from there can enter the bloodstream, leading to a possibility of bacterial
endocarditis.
In less severe scenarios, it can cause the bones and tissue
hold teeth in place to degenerate, causing teeth to fall out.
Bone and tissue grafts are very uncomfortable, so the sooner
you treat advanced periodontal disease, the better off you’ll be.
Avoiding Risk Factors
for Periodontal Disease
There are several factors that can increase the chances of
developing periodontal disease.
●
Smoking or chewing tobacco
●
High stress
●
Diabetes
●
Poorly fitting dental bridges and crowns
●
Poor fillings
●
Crooked teeth or wisdom teeth that erupt improperly
●
Medications that decrease saliva
Watching for and managing these risk factors will decrease the
chances of developing periodontal disease.
In addition to the recommended six month checkups, be sure to
maintain proper oral hygiene at home.
Brushing and flossing your teeth twice per day will clear
plaque from your teeth and gum line while a mouth rinse will flush it out of
your mouth.
Professional cleanings provided by your dentist can get much
deeper results, making them more effective, but home care will go a long way
toward preventing gum disease.
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