Gum disease is an infection of the gum tissue directly around your teeth. It is a parasitic bacterial infection and if viewed under a microscope it looks like an active anthill, it is just wild with bacterial swimming around. This live bacterial mass causes inflammation in your body. It is as if you had an open infected sore on your arm or leg of about 3 inches by 4 inches. I think that would get your attention. But in the mouth gum disease has almost no feeling (until the teeth start getting loose and falling out.) There is no painful warning of the damage being done. We take measurements in 6 areas around each tooth to assess the past damage as well as the intensity of the current infection. Treatment and therapy can be quite effective at stopping the infection however if damage has already been done we have no way of repairing it. Fortunately, you can live and keep your teeth even with a little bone loss. What you really don’t want to live with is active gum disease because, in addition to damaging your foundation bone support, the inflammation in your body also affects cholesterol buildup in your blood vessels, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and probably a few more chronic diseases that we are just learning about.
Call us if you suspect you have gum disease or want a second opinion. (320) 762-2122