Gum disease may increase your risk of getting respiratory infections, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pneumonia, according to the Journal of Periodontology. The infections might be caused when bacteria from the mouth are inhaled into your lungs, possibly causing your airways to become inflamed.
And while most people understand the importance of maintaining healthy gums and teeth, many do not know that gum disease is a potentially life-threatening condition that can affect not only the mouth, but also the entire body.
In the early stage of gum disease—called gingivitis—signs such as bleeding gums and slight gum recession are ignored. However, if not addressed in the early stages, it is possible to experience swollen gums that are constantly tender, chills, fever, and a runny nose.
Gum disease can end up in significantly severe cases that seriously damage your heart and shorten your life. It may sound like an exaggeration, but bacterial gum disease like gingivitis leads to periodontitis. Periodontitis, on the other hand, can lead to life-threatening endocarditis.
Moderate periodontal disease is the fourth stage of gum disease, and your gums are likely receded and sore. Teeth are more easily damaged, beginning to decay and deteriorate quickly at this point. Teeth may become loose and wiggly, and the jaw is beginning to become affected and infected, too.
During the early gingivitis stages, gum inflammation can occur in as little as five days. Within two to three weeks, the signs of generalized gingivitis become more noticeable. If you still leave this untreated, it would progress to slight periodontal disease.
Advanced Periodontitis
The final stage of periodontitis is not fun. The infection in your gums will have damaged most of the connective tissue and bones in your mouth to some extent. You will likely have severe pain when chewing, terrible breath, and experience tooth loss.
Gum disease can also affect your major organs, particularly the heart. Having aggressive bacteria in the mouth can easily get into the bloodstream affecting every cell and causing you fatigue.
Many Americans experience tooth pain or gum discomfort when they have a cold, in addition to the suffering of continual coughing, sneezing, and nighttime congestion. This is because the mucus associated with colds can cause irritation and inflammation in the gums, leading to pain.
Gum disease leads to the increased presence of harmful oral bacteria in the mouth. When harmful bacteria build up, it can then be ingested and travel to the stomach. Once there, the bacteria can cause inflammation to develop in the stomach, reports the research team.
But the condition may get even worse if left untreated. They may experience receding gums, loosening teeth, or tooth loss when it progresses into severe periodontal disease. If you wonder if you can live with this disease, the answer is yes.
Periodontal disease and other infectious diseases can work together to lower the immune system, increasing susceptibility to things like the common cold or the flu (virus).
Periodontitis Stage 1: Initial. Periodontitis Stage 2: Moderate. Periodontitis Stage 3: Severe with potential for tooth loss. Periodontitis Stage 4: Severe with potential for loss of all the teeth.
Advanced Periodontitis
The final stage of gum disease happens when extensive and serious damage to gum tissue and supporting bone occurs. This may cause your teeth to shift or loosen and the pockets to deepen. Tooth loss may happen due to gum tissue erosion. During this stage, your teeth become overly sensitive.
Research proves a saltwater rinse containing 0.9 percent to 1.8 percent sodium chloride helps heal the gums. In addition, disinfectant properties are present in salt, helping kill harmful bacteria in the mouth while easing swelling and pain in the infected gums.
It's never too late to seek treatment for gum disease, and the degree of treatment you require will depend on how advanced it is.
The progression of periodontal disease is slow but steady. It only takes four days for plaque to reach its maximum extent, so you'll be able to physically see signs of gingivitis on day 5. Advanced stages of this disease can be seen in as little as a few weeks if you have not tried to reverse the gingivitis.
Gum disease isn't curable. It's only manageable. But you can't successfully manage gum disease without the help of a dentist or periodontist. This is because bacteria seep way down under the surface of your gums, where brushing and flossing can't reach.
Gum disease can be cured. Essentially, it's all about removing bacteria from your mouth and allowing the gums to heal back to a healthy state. If you want to get rid of gum disease, the first step is to get the right education so that you know how to clean your teeth effectively at home.
Swollen gums can indicate that you have a viral or fungal infection. One type of fungal infection that can cause your gums to swell is thrush. If you also notice a strange white rash, talk to your doctor so that they can prescribe you with an antifungal medication.