If your teeth hurt when you chew or if your gums bleed when you brush, you could have gum disease. Call Dr. Rudy Wassenaar right away at 250-398-8411 to get the appropriate treatment. Otherwise, gum disease can wreak havoc on your smile.
Gum disease is a condition that afflicts millions of Canadians. In fact, according to the Canadian Dental Association, “7 out of 10 Canadians will develop gum disease at some time in their lives.”
What is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is a devastating bacterial infection that attacks your gums. The bacteria that causes gum disease feed on plaque and tartar.
Plaque is the film that develops on your teeth after a meal. Plaque that is not eliminated through regular dental hygiene hardens into tartar, the rough substance that’s removed by your dental hygienist during your regular professional cleanings.
The best way to prevent gum disease is by brushing and flossing daily and visiting Dr. Wassenaar and our team at Williams Lake Smiles for regular checkups twice a year. It’s also a good idea to avoid sugary foods, particularly in between meals.
The Sooner You Treat Your Gum Disease, the Better
There are three stages of gum disease: gingivitis, periodontitis, and advanced periodontitis. Each stage gets progressively worse. The good news is that Dr. Wassenaar features effective treatments for all stages of gum disease.
If Dr. Wassenaar catches gum disease early, it’s much easier to treat. But if it’s allowed to progress all the way to the advanced periodontitis stage, the patient is in serious jeopardy of losing one or more teeth. Symptoms of advanced periodontitis include
- Red, swollen, sensitive gums
- A constant bad taste in your mouth
- Teeth shift out of position
- It hurts to chew
- Gums bleed when you brush or floss
- Pus oozes from swollen pockets at the base of teeth
- Bad breath
- Teeth pull away from gums and appear to be getting larger
- Teeth fall out
The Long-term Health Consequences of Gum Disease
If you think you’re suffering from gum disease, it’s essential to see Dr. Wassenaar right away. Gum disease doesn’t only attack your smile — The bacteria can also spread to other regions of your body.
Researchers have linked gum disease to the following serious medical conditions:
- Diabetes
- Heart Disease
- Premature Childbirth
- Cancer
- Strokes
- Lung Disease
