Gum disease is the number one cause of dental health decline. Although it starts off tiny, periodontal disease can fashion into a major issue if it’s not treated rapidly. Because we care about your dental health and wellbeing, we’ve put together this post about gum disease and what you need to be aware of about it.
Side effects of periodontal disease can differ. Since blood appears in infected gums, you will likely spit out some bits of blood when brushing your chompers if you have gum disease. (Though bleeding gums can mean different things and aren’t always a sign of periodontal disease.) Another unfortunate side effect of periodontal disease is bad breath, also called halitosis. Pain felt when brushing or touching the gums is also a side effect of periodontal disease.
So when did we begin attributing these side effects to periodontal disease? Although the ailment has been around for a very long time, scientists didn’t begin understanding periodontal disease the way we do now until the late 1700s. Later, in 1875, dentist and scientist John T. Riggs wrote that gum disease is a “suppurative inflammation of the gums and alveolar process,” giving a definition to what we now refer to as gum disease. Multiple discoveries about gum disease, its prevention and its treatment have been made since then, and we’re continuing to learn more about it even today.
Have you come to our office in a while? For the greatest oral health, you should checkup the dentist at least two times a year. Please give Dr. Damon P. Swenson and the Orem, Utah, CrossPointe Dental office a call at 801-224-7337 now to schedule your next visit.