Effects of Gum Disease

The most brutal and dramatic effect of gum disease is tooth loss. In serious cases, more than one tooth can be lost and up to all depending on the extent of damage done by the gum disease and how long it has been left untreated.

Depending on the cause of gum disease, its effects can be more dramatic or rapid. Certain things will certainly contribute to its rapid advancement.

For example, smoking has been identified as one of the main causes of gum disease in eighty percent of adult smokers. Smoking is bad for two reasons. First, it restricts the flow of oxygen to the gums and secondly it triggers the build up of tar, which leads to the build of tartar, the bacteria that causes gum disease.

Gum disease can also cause sufferers to experience bad breath, movement of the teeth and receding gums. These symptoms are mild compared to the extremity of tooth loss.

Other factors that will contribute to the rapid advancement of gum disease are sugary foods and fried starchy foods. These foods have a greater propensity to leave traces of a sticky film, invisible to the human eye, coating the teeth. It is this film which turns to plaque and feeds the bacteria gum disease thrives on. This is why regular brushing and flossing are so important. Brushing alone cannot reach the gaps in between teeth where the most dangerous bacteria lurk.

Women tend to be more vulnerable to gum disease than men are. That is because women experience greater fluctuations in their body’s hormones due to menstrual cycles. It is important for women to be vigilant about developing gum disease as recent studies have proved direct links between gum disease and the birth of premature babies.

Gum disease is basically an infection that lives in your mouth and if you contract it, it is a sign that you are run down and that your body’s defences are low. Factors that contribute to a weakened immune system include too much stress and lack of sleep along with a lack of exercise.

That said these are things that can easily be remedied with some lifestyle changes. It is a combination of a healthy lifestyle including a balanced diet with plenty of exercise that strengthens the body’s defences. Ultimately, a good oral hygiene program helps to ensure that the effects of gum disease are minimized.