Inflammation: The Most Dangerous Aspect of Gum Disease

There are many different signs that could warn you that gum disease is present. For instance, your gums can become red and angry looking, or start to bleed when you brush your teeth. Your breath may become increasingly worse, even after you brush and floss your teeth. However, one of the most significant signs of gum disease is the rampant inflammation that develops among your gum tissues. At our Encinitas/San Diego office, one of the main goals of the expert care we provide is to help you control gum inflammation and disease, and protect your oral and overall health from its potential dangers.

What actually causes gum disease?

Depending on your specific oral and periodontal health, there may be several different factors that increase your risks of gum disease development. However, the main causes of the disease are harmful types of oral bacteria found in everyday dental plaque. A few specific types of these bacteria like to accumulate along your gums and work their way underneath them, settling on the surfaces of your teeth roots.

How this leads to inflammation?

The different types of oral bacteria responsible for gum disease do damage to your gums in several different ways. Some release toxins that cause the tissues to separate from your teeth roots, creating larger pockets for more bacteria to gather. One type of bacteria, known as Porphyromonas gingivalis, produce molecules that incite rampant inflammation in your gums. This uncontrolled swelling is one of the most important factors in the harm that gum disease causes.

Other dangers this could lead to

Besides causing your gums to swell to the point of becoming damaged, unchecked inflammation also affects the integrity of the structures that support your teeth (i.e., periodontal ligaments, jawbone structure, and more). In severe cases of gum disease, the inflammation and resulting damage can lead to the loss of one or more teeth. It can also raise your risks of chronic inflammatory conditions that affect more than just your smile, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and more.

Controlling gum disease and inflammation

Inflammation is just one of the many potentially dangerous aspects of gum disease, but with proper care and specialized treatment, you can control them all to preserve your periodontal health. For more information about dental implants, schedule a consultation with Dr. Kania by calling her periodontal office in Encinitas/San Diego, CA, at (760) 642-0711.