When you spit out your toothpaste and notice that it turned pink — did you brush too hard or recently enjoy a Twizzler? According to the Mayo Clinic, gum disease (also known as Periodontal disease) is a serious gum infection that damages the soft tissue. If left untreated, it can have severe health consequences, and even lead to tooth loss.
To protect your oral health and maintain that pearly white smile, learn about the risks of gum disease and the important warning signs. Many of these signs could be easily mistaken for something else, so it’s important to be informed.
What Causes Gum Disease?
This disease impacts the soft tissues that hold your teeth in place. Without this “glue,” your teeth may become wobbly, and you could even lose them. Fortunately, the disease doesn’t progress from zero to dentures overnight. Before things reach a point of no return, your sulcus (or the spaces between your teeth), measure 3-millimeters or less and don’t bleed.
Gum disease results when the bacteria in your mouth flourish and destroy healthy tissue. Because of the many blood vessels in the area, it doesn’t take much for germs to enter your bloodstream. Once they invade your body, a gap in your grin may be the least of your worries.