Though gum disease (also known as periodontal disease) can affect a majority of adults to some degree, it isn’t guaranteed to develop for anyone. In fact, proper care and maintenance can significantly improve your chances of preventing it from ever developing. When it does become a concern, however, dealing with gum disease properly and promptly is essential to maintaining your continued good oral health, and more. Using advanced laser technology and other minimally invasive treatment techniques, we can often help patients deal with their gum disease more comfortably, and with higher quality results.

It’s often more serious than it seems

One of the most frequent reasons why gum disease progresses more seriously than patients expect is because the symptoms don’t always reveal how serious the condition is. For example, concerns such as tissue inflammation and bleeding in your gums can seem minor, but the underlying destruction of your gum tissues that causes it could be much more significant. By the time many people seek treatment for their gum disease, enough damage has been caused that the loss of one or more teeth has become imminent.

It can lead to tooth loss if not treated promptly

Tooth loss is one of the more severe consequences of the progression of gum disease. This occurs because the disease erodes the periodontal tissues and jawbone structure that surround, protect, and support your teeth roots. Without the support of these structures, one or more teeth may become loose and eventually fall out, or require extraction and replacement once gum disease is under control. Because gum disease is progressive, it won’t stop on its own after you’ve lost a tooth, and your risks of losing more will continue to grow higher until the conditions is treated.

It can also influence your overall health

One of the driving forces behind the destruction of gum disease is the unchecked inflammation that occurs in your periodontal tissues. This is caused by certain types of harmful oral bacteria that affect how your immune system operates. In severe cases of gum disease, the tissues can become compromised enough to allow oral bacteria to enter the bloodstream, including those responsible for inciting inflammation. This can lead to several ongoing health concerns, including heightened risks of developing or exacerbating conditions like cardiovascular disease.

Learn how to deal with gum disease properly

Because of the significant effects it can have on your oral and overall health, dealing with gum disease can often be more important than you realize. For more information, schedule a consultation with Dr. Kania by calling her laser periodontal office in Encinitas/San Diego, CA, at (760) 642-0711.