Gum disease is a bacterial infection that is very hard to detect in its early stages. It is the second most common disease of the mouth, and tooth loss is a common result of untreated gum disease. One of the leading causes of tooth loss, periodontal disease, is also a major threat to your health. Can gum disease kill you? this short article provides a quick overview of its causes, prevention and treatment.
Can Gum Disease Kill You: Separating Facts From Fiction
Do you have gum disease? You may not know it, but this common gum problem could be silently killing you—even if you don’t feel any pain. This is because it has some relation with other health diseases like heart disease! You can prevent it before it starts and even heals it if you already have it.
Gum disease is a condition that develops when harmful bacteria in the mouth begin to eat away at the soft tissue of the gum line. This results in pockets of dead cells, loose teeth, and receding gums, eventually becoming infected and swelling. It’s called periodontitis, and if left untreated, it can lead to bleeding gums, tooth loss and bone loss. Fortunately, gum disease can be easily treated and prevented. The good news is that it’s much easier to prevent than treat.
Causes of Gum Disease
The reasons for the prevalence of gum disease are complicated, and the exact cause of the disease has not been determined. However, some risk factors can be avoided or controlled to reduce your chances of developing gum disease.
- Genetics: People who are more likely to get gum disease to have certain genes.
- Stress: Stress makes it easier for bacteria to grow and cause problems.
- Smoking: Smoking is a bad idea! It can make your gums more prone to infection and abscess and damage them.
- Drinking: Alcoholic beverages (beer and wine) have been linked to gum disease.
- Poor oral hygiene: If you don’t brush and floss regularly, you can develop gum disease.
- Sugar: Sugar contributes to plaque buildup, eventually forming a sticky, tart substance called “dental plaque.”
- Overgrowth: The mouth’s natural environment becomes unhealthy, and food debris collects.
How to Fight Gum Disease (and Win)
As you might suspect, there’s a link between what we eat and how our body functions. The first step to fighting gum disease is to get rid of the sugar. It’s been proven that too much sugar increases plaque buildup on teeth, which leads to cavities. Then, make sure you brush twice a day. Start with brushing your teeth at least two times a day to combat gum disease. You can also use fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride prevents bacteria from forming in the mouth and helps fight cavities. Make sure you floss as well because it reduces plaque buildup. If you’ve got bleeding gums, this is a sign that your oral hygiene routine is lacking.
Advanced Gum Disease Treatment Options
A gum disease treatment is a solution that can help restore and maintain healthy teeth and gums. Suppose a person has been diagnosed with gingivitis, periodontitis, or some other form of gum disease. In that case, their dentist will most likely recommend a combination of a few different gum disease treatments to get them on the road to recovery, including:
- Antibiotics
- Laser gum therapy
- Mouth rinses
- Root canals
- Implants
- Preventative Medicine
These methods may be taken on their own, but often they work better when combined.
Home Remedies
Gum disease can be controlled by using a variety of home remedies. These simple and easy-to-follow techniques are backed by research and experience, helping you avoid further complications in your mouth.
- Mix baking soda and water to create a natural paste to relieve pain and kill bacteria.
- Put some lemon in a bowl of warm water and place your tooth on top to get rid of the germs.
- Use essential oils like tea tree oil to promote healing.
- Honey can also be used to help heal gum tissue.
- Mint is a natural decongestant and breath freshener that can reduce the pain of a toothache.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does gum disease kill you?
While gum disease itself may not directly lead to death, it can contribute to systemic health issues such as heart disease and stroke, which can be life-threatening.
Will gum disease kill you?
If gum disease progresses to an advanced stage, it can increase the risk of complications that may impact your overall well-being.
Can gingivitis kill you?
While gingivitis is a milder form of gum disease, it can progress to more severe stages if not properly managed, potentially leading to systemic health problems that can have fatal consequences. Therefore, it’s essential to prioritize oral hygiene and seek prompt treatment for gum disease to safeguard both your oral and overall health.
End Note
Can gum disease kill you this is a major curiosity so, according to a study in the Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, it has been found that periodontal disease is a leading cause of tooth loss. And, if you have periodontal disease, it can kill you! (Not literally). That is if you don’t treat it. The good news is that you can have healthy gums for a long time to come by treating your gum disease.
Further Entities
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3885153/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6525324/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2147593/
Meet Shawn Perez, the accomplished author and dental enthusiast behind the engaging content at https://gumbalm.com. With a keen passion for oral health, Shawn brings a wealth of knowledge to his readers, offering insightful tips and expert advice on achieving and maintaining a confident, healthy smile. Dive into Shawn’s articles to discover the latest trends, effective remedies, and practical insights that contribute to overall dental well-being.