How Familiar Are You With Gum Disease?

Have you ever noticed a little pink mixed in with your toothpaste and saliva while brushing your teeth? Bleeding oral tissues can indicate a few things; for instance, you may have scraped or bitten your lip, or the inside of your cheek, hard enough to make it bleed. Unlike a bitten lip or cheek, however, bleeding gums don’t normally hurt, which can fool patients into believing that the condition isn’t serious. Nevertheless, bleeding gums are warning sign of one of the most destructive dental health issues—gum disease. Park Ridge implant dentists, Drs. Maria and Thanasi Loukas, have helped many patients protect their smiles from gum disease by educating them about its warning signs and the damage it can cause.

The Beginning

Gum disease is an infection of the soft tissues surrounding the bottoms of your teeth, and results from the unchecked accumulation of bacteria-laden dental plaque. As the sticky biofilm collects on your teeth and along your gum line, some of the germs it contains release toxins that can destroy the connective tissues between teeth and gums. Other oral bacteria incite inflammation (swelling) and exacerbate the damage of gum recession. Aside from swelling, the irritation also causes gums to become red and bleed, usually when brushing and flossing your teeth. If your gums appear angry or bleed, visit us immediately to address the gum infection before gum disease fully develops.

Gum Disease and Tooth Loss

When left unattended, gum disease destroys the gums and jawbone that support your teeth. As teeth’s roots are exposed, your teeth can become sensitive; unfortunately, by the time a toothache develops, gums have already sustained significant damage. Because of its penchant for attacking the supportive structures of your teeth, gum disease remains the leading cause of adult tooth loss in the United States. If the disease is severe enough to cost you one or more teeth, then Dr. Maria and Dr. Thanasi Loukas may recommend replacing your lost teeth with dental implants after the disease is brought under control. The prosthetic teeth roots provide support for your replacement teeth that matches the stability of healthy teeth and their roots.

About Dr. Maria and Dr. Thanasi Loukas:

Whether you wish to protect your smile from dental disease and damage, or restore your smile after suffering tooth loss, we can help you regain your oral health and confidence through a new and improved smile. Dr. Maria and Dr. Thanasi Loukas are highly-skilled restorative and cosmetic dentists serving the Park Ridge and surrounding Chicago communities. To schedule an appointment, call Loukas General Dentistry today at (847) 696-1919.