Poor dental hygiene is a serious matter. Prolonged neglect to dental health can cause severe negative consequences. Other organs in the body can suffer, depending on how extensive the dental issue becomes.

Though there might be some confusion surrounding this disease at first, the important thing to know is there is good news. Periodontal disease, if caught early, can be reversed. In fact, this condition is quite common. However, it will become a serious matter if left untreated.

Periodontal Disease: The Basics

When looking at what causes this disease, the combination of bacteria and bad dental hygiene are the main catalysts.

We use our mouths to accomplish many things throughout the day. Every second, we introduce bacteria into our mouths by breathing, eating and talking. The mouth is a breeding ground for bacteria. This is why proper dental hygiene is essential to prevent such diseases as this.

It is important to note that periodontal disease doesn’t just pop up overnight. This disease often takes a while to manifest.

Stages of Periodontal Disease

There are certain stages that have to take place in the mouth in order for a person to develop periodontal disease. It is important to note that during each one of these stages, there is a window of opportunity to address the problem.

• poor dental hygiene (not flossing or brushing)
• building up of plaque
• plaque spreading below gum line
• gingivitis (swollen, red, and bleeding gums)
• periodontal disease

Periodontal disease is essentially an advanced form of gingivitis. Gingivitis is also very common and for the most part also easy to avoid.

Symptoms of gingivitis can range from mild to severe. These symptoms can include swollen, red and possibly bleeding gums. Gingivitis can actually start developing within a couple days as the result of not practicing proper dental hygiene.

Periodontal disease is much worse as it includes all these previous ailments in addition to, gums separating from teeth and even tooth loss.

Although it is common for people to skip a brushing or two, it is when the initial warning signs are ignored that can develop into a more severe problem.

Preventing and Slowing Periodontal Disease

The most important factor in preventing this disease is being proactive vs. reactive. It’s unfortunate, but the truth is that the majority of people are not good at practicing proper dental hygiene.

We all know it’s necessary to brush and floss after every meal but in reality few of us actually do. Although proper dental hygiene starts with brushing and flossing, there are also some factors that can be avoided to slow down the process and decrease the risk in which periodontal disease occurs.

Tobacco Use

Smoking and chewing tobacco increases the chances of periodontal disease occurring by introducing more bacteria in the mouth. If smokers want to reduce this risk they should brush their teeth after every cigarette, which isn’t likely.

Stress

Stress can have a major impact on dental health. This can occur in more ways than one. It is recommended that proper stress relieving techniques should be followed if a person has a history of dental health issues.

When Action Must be Taken

If no action is taken to prevent or slow the process of periodontal disease, it will eventually lead to a serious health concern. This prolonged neglect will eventually lead to the need for extensive measures to fix any damage caused by this disease.

Among these measures, the dentist might prescribe antibiotics to fight bacteria infections. Another popular method used to fight periodontal disease is deep cleaning of the surfaces under the gums. If all these methods fail, corrective surgery to the gums and or teeth is necessary.

Foundation of Good Dental Hygiene

It is obvious how important it is to practice proper dental heath routines. Frequent brushing and flossing is the first step in preventing, but that’s not all of it. It’s also extremely important to see a professional dentist at least twice a year.

Dental Group of Simi Valley is here to help you with this process. Our staff in Simi Valley California is dedicated to providing the best dental health service possible. Please reach out with any questions you might have. Your health is important to us and we are committed to making sure it is properly maintained for your healthiest future.