Conditions that affect your oral health can often have consequences beyond what seems obvious. For instance, what begins as a minor toothache could quickly become a severe tooth infection if ignored long enough. The same is true for periodontal disease. When it develops, it may appear as nothing more than slightly irritated gum tissues. However, when it progresses, it can become one of the most significant threats to your long-term oral and overall health. Fortunately, patients in Encinitas/San Diego can mitigate that threat by seeking expert periodontal treatment as soon as possible.

Your Risks of Tooth Loss

Due to the many different potential causes of tooth loss, everyone’s risks of experiencing it are different. However, periodontal disease is the leading cause of permanent tooth loss, and therefore, having it significantly raises your risks of losing teeth. That’s because the disease systematically destroys your gums and jawbone that support your teeth, leaving them with little support and causing them to fall out or need extraction. If you notice signs such as redness, swelling, and bleeding in your gums, then you should speak with your dentist or periodontal expert as soon as possible to limit how much damage the disease can cause.

Your Systemic Health

In more severe cases of periodontal disease, tooth loss isn’t always the only concern. The chronic inflammation that characterizes the disease can also increase your risks of uncontrolled inflammation throughout the rest of your body. As a significant risk factor in many different health conditions, this unchecked inflammation can also heighten your risk for health issues such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, dementia, and much more. In fact, several studies have shown that patients with severe periodontal disease are at a much higher risk of developing other chronic inflammatory diseases.

Control the Risks of Periodontal Disease

If not treated and controlled properly, periodontal disease can have significantly negative impacts on your oral and overall health. For more information, schedule a consultation with Dr. Kania by calling her periodontal office in Encinitas/San Diego, CA, at (760) 642-0711.