Whether it’s the noticeable symptoms, like bad breath and bleeding gums, or the long-term consequences such as potential tooth loss, gum disease matters more than some people realize. Even if it doesn’t seem like too big of a deal now, it can quickly progress and cause increasingly more damage to your gums, periodontal tissues, jawbone structure, and more. At our Newhall, CA, dental office, we can’t stress enough the importance of taking your gum health into consideration during your daily hygiene efforts. We also offer customized periodontal treatment for patients who exhibit signs of gum disease already developing.

It isn’t going to go away

The most important thing to realize about gum disease is that it doesn’t go away on its own. The disease begins as a relatively minor infection in your gums known as gingivitis, and as it grows more severe, it causes more damage to your periodontal tissues. For instance, the tissues will become chronically inflamed, forcing them to recede from your teeth and eventually causing severe tissue damage. The only way to alleviate these symptoms and protect your periodontal health is to seek appropriate treatment for the disease as soon as possible.

You’re more likely to lose teeth

Because of the damage that it causes to your gums and jawbone structure, severe gum disease is the leading cause of adult tooth loss. The more severe it becomes, the much higher your risk of tooth loss grows, and by the time one tooth is lost, the risks of losing more will already be higher. If you do suffer tooth loss because of severe gum disease, then you will have to seek treatment to get the disease under control before you can receive a custom replacement. For example, if you prefer to have a dental implant placed, then the presence of gum disease could compromise your implant and restoration in the near future.

It can have more serious effects

Inflammation is the driving force behind the tissue damage that gum disease causes, and it’s also a high risk factor for several other chronic health conditions. Because of this connection, patients who exhibit long-term gum disease have higher risks of developing such conditions later in life. Those who already deal with a chronic disease may find managing it more difficult until they treat and manage their gum disease. By preventing or treating gum disease as soon as possible, you can avoid compounding any health risks that you might experience in the future.

Tackle gum disease with custom treatment

Gum disease matters to more than just your smile, but with custom periodontal treatment, you have a good chance of avoiding its more serious consequences. For more information, schedule a consultation by calling Newhall Dental Arts in Newhall, CA, today at (661) 259-7760.