Introduction to Gum Disease

Gum Disease Signs Symptoms, Causes and Treatments

Kenmore dentist Dr Rachel Hall shares an introduction to gum disease in this series of blogs that explain what are the signs and symptoms, causes and treatments for gum disease.

Gum Disease – Here’s The Facts and Symptoms

Its odd that in dentistry as in life that things come in clusters.

January last year was the month of the extraction and the toothache. I think I took more teeth out in that month than I did the whole of the previous year put together.

And this year has been no different, except that January 2013 has been the month of the new patient….. But the new patient with chronic and severe untreated gum disease.

Having seen so many people with advanced gum problems who were totally oblivious to the condition and its consequences I felt to write a series of articles on this topic to help you to be better informed of this condition and its impact on your health.

Gum Disease – What’s All The Fuss?

Holistic dentistry does not see your mouth and its issues as separate or isolated to the rest of your body and as such gum disease presents a serious but treatable condition.

Gum disease is caused by a series of events that lead to inflammation of the gums and tissues around your teeth. If you have red, swollen and/or bleeding gums you have gum disease.

Left untreated gum disease leads to bone destruction around the tooth, loose teeth, dental abscesses, pain, infection, inflammation and eventually tooth loss.

Gum Disease A Symptom of Systemic Illness

Gum disease is serious. It is a sign of systemic illness.

Gum disease allows bacteria from your mouth to enter your bloodstream and increases your level of C-Reactive protein (CRP) which is one of the biggest markers for your risk of heart disease.

Because of its ability to increase CRP gum disease is not only linked to heart disease but to stroke, diabetes, arthritis, Alzheimer’s, infertility, premature birth, erectile dysfunction and even cancer.

Don’t be fooled into thinking that just because you have no pain or obvious symptoms that everything is OK. Gum disease progresses silently without you realising you have it, don’t let it become a big problem.

Bleeding Gums and Symptoms of Gum Disease

If your gums bleed when you brush or you are due to your dental check or perhaps even overdue then do something proactive for your health…….. Call our practice in Kenmore to schedule dental health and gum care appointment to get your gums assessed and treated now.

To learn more about gum disease and how to prevent and treat it by following our blog where I will talk more about:

Gum disease: 

• what is it and what causes it
• it’s more than just brushing your teeth
• prevention and treatment
• why it is so dangerous to your health

If you have any questions about your gums or dental health, in general, give us a call. We’d be more than happy to discuss it with you.