Recognizing Factors from Bad to Worse

Gingivitis is an early form of gum disease. In most instances, it goes unnoticed. There is a high probability that if left untreated, it can progress to its more serious form – periodontitis. Know that there are many factors that contribute to both conditions.

Poor oral hygiene

If brushing, including flossing, is poor or insufficient it can lead to buildup of plaque on teeth, under the gum line to include the roots. This can lead to decay of both the hard and soft tissues of the mouth.

Poor diet

A diet can be deficient in vitamin C. This vitamin, found in citrus fruits, strengthens gum tissue and holds teeth in place. A vitamin K deficiency can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Vit K rich foods are green and leafy vegetables.

Smoking

This lifestyle habit contributes to many undesirable effects – teeth discoloration, bad breath, weakening of gum tissue, proneness to infection, and difficulty of gum healing. Not to mention its ill effects on general health.

Dry mouth syndrome

It can be the result of taking medications that cause decreased salivation, a nutrient deficiency, lack of fluid intake, Lack of hydration is conducive to the growth of mouth bacteria which in turn causes gum infection.

Diabetes

The presence of uncontrolled diabetes is detrimental to the healing of gum disease.

Pregnancy

This condition enables the progress of gum disease due to several factors: dehydration, dry mouth, higher levels of insulin, snoring and sleep apnea, and possibly gestational diabetes.

Underlying medical conditions

HIV and AIDS promote chronic dry mouth, canker sores, oral warts, thrush and tooth decay. Gastrointestinal Reflux Disease or GERD exposes the gums and teeth to frequent regurgitation of stomach acid.

Genetics and family history

Gum disease tends to recur in generations within the family.

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Watching Over Gum Health in Bellevue

If you are experiencing any of the gum issues mentioned, do come over to Overlake Dental. Your Bellevue dentist is your go-to professional for all things gum disease and treatment.

Most Common Warning Signs

Are you experiencing symptoms that you think are due to a dental issue? Don’t wait until the symptoms get worse. Understand that there are several symptoms that are warning signs of a dental issue.
Toothache. It’s one of the most common symptoms of a tooth problem. It can be a sign of tooth decay, a cavity formation that has pulp involvement, or a root abscess, among others.

• Pain on chewing or biting. This may be due to sensitive and swollen gums, or a gum abscess, as well as a root abscess.
• Tooth sensitivity. Tooth or teeth become very sensitive when in contact with hot or cold beverages or foods. It may be due to a crack in the tooth, a thinning or eroded enamel, or an exposed pulp.
• Loose teeth and receding gums. May occur as a result of the serious form of gum disease – periodontitis.
• Bleeding gums after brushing or flossing. Sometimes there’s blood in your toothbrush or your floss. While it may happen and should not be alarming, too frequent bleeding of gums may mean some form of gum disease.
• Mouth ulcers or sores that won’t heal after a week or two. This may be due to a variety of causes: allergies, trauma or injury, a nutrient deficiency, infection, hormonal changes, or stress.
• Chronic bad breath. May be due to a mouth infection, an abscessed tooth, or a dirty or infected tongue.
• Swelling of the cheeks or the face. An infection, injury, or allergy may cause it. Some cases can be medical emergencies, like preeclampsia, cellulitis, or as a result of anaphylaxis.

If any of these symptoms come with fever of a facial or neck swelling, it is regarded as a medical emergency.

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Identifying Oral Symptoms in Bellevue

When you experience signs and symptoms in your mouth, do not hesitate to visit your Bellevue dentist right away. Here at Overlake Dental we help arrest the progress of oral issues to avoid complications.

Oral Health Statistics from World Health Organization (WHO)

Did you know that according to the World Health Organization cavities and gum disease are the most common dental problems in the world? Here are some facts that will put the importance of oral health quickly in everybody’s mind.

Firstly, between 60 and 90% of school children have at least one cavity in their mouth. This is most likely due to their early introduction to a sugary diet, whether as food or beverage.

Almost all adults have at least one dental cavity. Even with the best oral hygiene practices, a few cavity formations are likely to occur as people consume a variety of foods that range from sweet to starchy to acidic.
Severe gum disease affects between 5 and 20% of adults ages 35 to 44. Gum disease can initiate early but since the condition is not too bothersome for most, adults tend not to be serious about it until the disease turns into its serious form – periodontitis.

About 30% of people around the world ages 65 to 74 don’t have any natural teeth left. By the time adults reach their elderly stage and with improper oral practices and poor access to oral care, teeth become damaged and are lost, and at times not replaced.

For every 100,000 people, between 1 and 10 cases have oral cancer. This may be due to the many risk factors attending to this type of cancer – chief among them are smoking, HPV infection, poor diet, weak immune system, and family history.

Mostly the poor or disadvantaged population carry the burden of oral disease. This is primarily due to lack of resources for awareness and education and poor access to timely intervention. This link remains across the life course, from early childhood to older age, regardless of the country’s overall income level.

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Building Oral Health Awareness in Bellevue

Do come to Overlake Dental on your next visit. Learn more about oral health in general and about your own issues from your Bellevue dentist.