What Can Happen If My Gum Disease Is Left Untreated?

Gum Disease is very serious; nonetheless, many people still ignore the signs and put seeking treatment for it on the back burner. Oftentimes, gum disease shows warning signs that are hard to miss, such as inflammation, bleeding, or redness. Whenever these signs are discovered, it is important to get to a general dentist right away to undergo treatment. Without treatment, one's oral health is put at severe risk. 

Untreated gum disease complications

Outlined below are a few things that can happen when gum disease goes untreated. When debating whether or not to get treatment, it can be helpful to review the following information. 

Advanced stages of gum disease

If gum disease goes untreated, the infection can become worse, which can lead to serious problems with the gums, teeth, and even jaw. Advanced stages of gum disease are known as periodontitis. The consequences that can come from periodontitis are far more severe than the early stages of gum disease. 

Receding

Another thing that can happen when gum disease goes untreated is that the gums can begin to recede. When the infection gets worse, the gums begin to pull back, which results in the teeth looking longer and the gums looking shorter. Receding gums can produce irreversible damage that may require oral surgery and gum contouring to fix. In some rare cases, receded gums are not fixable. 

Tooth loss

When gum disease becomes serious and does not get treated, the soft tissues become extremely weak, which can actually lead to tooth loss. When the soft tissues become weak, the support that they provide to the teeth also becomes weak. Support from the gums is necessary in order to keep the teeth held in place. 

It is good to know that the gum disease has to be very severe in order for tooth loss to occur; however, it can happen. Because of this potential, it is necessary to get treatment as quickly as possible. 

Jaw deterioration

Just like with the teeth, the jaw can become affected when gum disease goes untreated. Many people do not realize the role the jaw plays in oral health. It is responsible for holding the soft tissues in place, as well as the teeth. When gum disease goes untreated, the infection spreads to not only the teeth but also the jaw. Once in the jaw, it can eat away at the bone structure and result in jaw deterioration. When the jaw begins to deteriorate, it can result in dysfunction and poor aesthetics, both of which require extensive treatment to fix. 

Find out more about gum disease

Gum disease is not something that should go ignored, which is why it is necessary to undergo a consultation with a general dentist if any signs are noticed. A consultation can determine what stage the gum disease is at, which will then dictate how the treatment process goes. Reach out today to learn more or to ask questions! We are here to help every step of the way. 

Request an appointment here: https://dexterdds.com or call Scott Dexter, DDS at (916) 233-0910 for an appointment in our El Dorado Hills office.

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