Wednesday, January 6, 2016

How Does Bleeding Gums Affect My Health?


Do you see blood whenever you brush your teeth? You may think it is natural, especially if you brush your teeth too vigorously. But did you know that bleeding gums could be a sign of a dental issue or a health problem? It is significant to consult a dental specialist immediately to determine if you need any gum treatment to resolve bleeding gums. Be wary as it could be a warning of something serious.



If all of a sudden you develop symptoms of gum disease, there could be something going on inside your body that has impacted your immune system’s ability to keep your mouth healthy. Our mouth is the mirror of what’s happening inside the body. Thus, a healthy mouth reflects a healthy immune system whilst bleeding gums may signify an illness.


What Bleeding Gums Signify


Inadequate plaque removal often causes bleeding gums. Plaque carries germs which attack the healthy tissue surrounding the teeth, causing the gums to become swollen and irritated, and may result into bleeding when you brush or floss the teeth. This is the first stage of gum disease that is called Gingivitis, which is considered as a painless dental condition. Signs of Gingivitis may include bleeding gums, swollen or tender gums, teeth started to loose, persistent bad breath, and change in the way the teeth fit when biting. It is critical to treat the gum disease at this stage to completely reverse it and to avoid further complications.

Occasional bleeding of gums could be due to incorrect brushing. However, if it is already successive, it can be linked to more serious health conditions, including heart disease, cancer, diabetes and stroke.  With these risks, there are more reasons not to neglect bleeding gums. You can find various dental clinics offering gum treatment in Singapore today.





How Bleeding Gums Affect Overall Health

 

    It can hurt the heart. People with periodontal disease are likely to develop coronary artery disease compared to those who don't have. According to researchers, the harmful bacteria from the mouth might enter the bloodstream and attach to the fatty plaques in the heart's blood vessels, increasing the risk of clots and triggering heart attacks.

    It is bad for blood sugar. Diabetic patients are seen to be more susceptible to have periodontal disease than people without diabetes. Some experts believe that gum disease could make it difficult to control the blood sugar, but treating it might also help improve signs of diabetes.

    It may affect breathing. Having a gum disease increases the risk of acquiring respiratory infections, such as pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). When the bacteria from the mouth are inhaled into the lungs, there is a huge possibility that it can cause the airways to inflamed and thus affecting your breathing.


    It may affect memory. Poor oral health is seen to have an association with high risk of getting dementia. Experts believe that bacteria from mouth can spread to the brain through the bloodstream or the cranial nerves, which are connected to the jaw. The bacteria can affect the memory.

These are just few of the numerous threats that you may suffer from having bleeding gums. This is why it is of high importance to visit your periodontist when you notice signs of gum disease and have a gum treatment. Never neglect bleeding gums and you should take it seriously as it is not just beneficial to oral health but to overall health too. Searching for a periodontist is no longer difficult as they are almost everywhere these days.

How Does Early Gum Treatment Save Your Teeth?


One of the dirtiest parts of the body is mouth, which contains lots of bacteria along with mucus and other particles that form a sticky, colourless “plaque” on the teeth. The longer the plaque and tartar stay on the teeth, the more harmful they become, leading to periodontal disease. And if you don’t get a gum treatment, it can affect your overall health. This is why it is critical to seek periodontal treatment as early as possible.



Proper dental hygiene, like brushing and flossing, can help you remove plaque. But there are sections inside the mouth that can’t be reached and cleaned by ordinary toothbrush, so the plaque that isn’t taken out will form tartar which contains bacteria. In the long run, the bacteria will cause inflammation of the gums that is known as “gingivitis.”


Benefits Of Early Treatment


If you detect symptoms of gingivitis, you should visit a periodontist immediately for consultation and diagnosis then you can discuss the possible treatment. When gingivitis is treated right away, you won’t have to worry about the possibility of losing a tooth and acquiring serious health issues associated to periodontal disease. Oftentimes, simple gingivitis can be managed and reversed by simply practicing proper dental hygiene and visiting your dentist regularly whilst severe gingivitis may require surgical repair or antibiotics.




On the contrary, if you ignore the early signs of gingivitis, it can develop into periodontitis wherein the gums slowly pull away from the teeth and form pockets or spaces that become infected. When the bacteria spread out, the bacterial toxins will break down the bone and connective tissue that hold your teeth in place. Thus, the bones, tissue and gums that support your teeth will be destroyed leading to loosening and losing of teeth.


Treating gum disease at early stage will likely educate you how to improve your oral hygiene. Obviously, the dentist will give you pointers and tips to prevent gingivitis from recurring. Hence, you can perform the right dental care to save your teeth from potential harm.



Signs Of Gum Disease



Do you know when to seek the help of periodontist? You might think that bleeding gums is normal whenever you brush or floss your teeth, but it could be something serious already. Hence, be wary of the following symptoms of gum disease so you can quickly get immediate treatment:

        Tender or bleeding gums
        Bad breath that won’t go away
        Painful chewing
        Sensitive teeth
        Red or swollen gums
        Loose teeth
        Receding gums or longer appearing teeth

Diagnosis Of Gum Disease


During a periodontal examination, your gums will be checked to determine signs of bleeding, swelling and firmness. Your teeth will be assessed for sensitivity and movement. At times, a full mouth X-ray may be required to detect breakdown of bone that surrounds your teeth. After this procedure, your periodontist can distinguish how minimal or severe your disease is and will recommend what type of periodontics treatment suits you.

Primarily, early treatment of gum disease is highly essential to save your teeth from detaching from your gums. If you lost your teeth due to a periodontal disease, you might need dental implant to replace the missing tooth which means additional cost. You don’t want this to happen, right? So, be sure to get a gum treatment in Singapore when you notice the above signs.