Five Facts About Gum Disease

Gum disease is a serious condition that many patients don’t know much about. Education is an important part of fighting any disease. Gingival care is easy to implement if you know the necessary steps. Here are 10 facts about gum disease from our Brentwood periodontists, Dr. Alexandre-Amir Aalam and Dr. Alina Krivitsky.

Gum Disease and Heart Disease Go Hand in Hand

Gum disease is a bacterial infection along the gingival line. If untreated this can cause bacteria to enter the blood stream and the heart. Over time, these bacteria can build up and cause blood clots.  These clots can contribute to heart attacks. Treating gum disease is essential in preventing this condition.

Fun Fact – Nearly half of Americans over the age of 30 have periodontal disease!

If Your Mouth Tastes Bad It Could Be Gum Disease

If left untreated, gum disease begins to cause small pouches of puss to form along the gingival line. These areas might be extremely difficult to see on your own, so you may not even know they are there. It won’t take long for the disease to leak out into your mouth, which will cause a pretty disgusting taste. This will also cause terrible breath.

Fun Fact – 32% of American cite bad breath as the least attractive trait a person can have.

The Number One Cause of Tooth Loss is Gum Disease

Over time, gum disease can cause the gingival line to break down and recede. This will eventually cause your teeth to loosen and fall out. Oral hygiene is the best way to prevent this condition from happening or worsening. If you have lost teeth because of gum recession, ask your dentist or periodontist about dental implant therapy.

Fun Fact: 80% of people are not satisfied with their smile.

Gum Disease is Usually Painless

Many people do not seek out treatment when they have gingival disease because they simply don’t know that they have it. Many people expect pain to be the first sign, but it may never come. The best way to know if you have gum disease is regular check ups.

Fun Fact: 73% of people would rather go to the grocery store than floss their teeth.

Tobacco Use Could be the Easiest Way to Get Gum Disease

If you look at American Dental Association (ADA) statistics you will see that over time we have made a lot of progress with dental care in the U.S. Regular check-ups, education and increase in technology have given us access to superb dental care. But the one statistic that has never changed is that tobacco use causes an unhealthy smile.  Using tobacco can also lead to a variety of other health problems, and should be avoided at any cost.

Fun Fact: Americans spend almost 40 days brushing their teeth over their entire lifetime.

Worried About Gum Disease? Contact the CENTER Today.

The CENTER for Advanced Periodontal & Implant Therapy is leading the charge in restoring healthy gums and healthy smiles. If you want to learn more about gum disease in Los Angeles call Dr. Aalam or Dr. Krivitsky to schedule a consultation today. Contact us at 310-826-8242 or fill out our contact form.

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