The biggest advantage to preventing the development of oral health concerns, like gum disease, is avoiding the potential impacts that they can have on your long-term oral health. In addition to the extent of treatment required to address your condition, the effects of decayed tooth structure or diseased gum tissues can have longer lasting impacts than you might realize. Today, we examine a few ways in which gum disease can complicate your oral and systemic health, and how seeking treatment for it as soon as possible can help you avoid many of these complications.

Preserving your healthy, natural teeth

Gum disease develops and progresses within your periodontal tissues, or gums. Yet, the severe form of the disease (known as periodontitis) is the most frequent cause of tooth loss for adults. In addition to your periodontal tissues, your jawbone structure and the ligaments supporting your teeth roots are all part of your smile’s foundation. As periodontitis progresses, it can cause enough damage to all of these tissues and structures as to leave one or more teeth without an adequate level of support. This makes preserving your healthy, natural smile not just more complicated, but impossible until you get your periodontal disease under control.

Managing your overall systemic risks

The infection that oral bacteria can cause within your periodontal tissues is the leading cause of the development of early gum disease. The infection, known as gingivitis, also marks the beginning of unchecked inflammation within the tissues, and as it grows worse, so does the swelling in your gums. This rampant inflammation is one of the most significant concerns of severe gum disease, and when left unchecked, it can influence your overall systemic health and the integrity of your immune system. This can make the presence of severe gum disease a significant risk factor chronic inflammatory health conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and more.

Keeping your smile healthy in the future

Maintaining your good oral health long-term requires quickly and effectively managing any oral health concern that may arise, preferably before it causes significant damage. In the case of gum disease, any damage that your gums sustained or any natural teeth that have been lost can continue to impact your oral and systemic health. For example, gum disease can’t be reversed, and after repairing the damage to your gums and replacing your lost teeth (if necessary), maintaining the health of your smile could also require ongoing periodontal maintenance.

Learn how to make gum disease less complicated

Gum disease affects more of your oral and systemic health the more it’s allowed to progress. To learn more about treating it early, schedule a consultation by calling Modern Smile in North Hollywood, CA, today at 818-763-9353. We also proudly serve patients who live in Burbank, Toluca Lake, and all surrounding communities.