1. The symptoms aren’t always obvious
I hear it all the time, “But I didn’t even know there was a problem with that tooth!” Gum disease is more common than you would think. Did you know that 50% of Americans have some form of gum disease? The challenge is that the symptoms are often subtle, and hard to detect. This is unlike the rest of the body where even a common cold announces itself with sneezes and coughs. In that case, a doctor only confirms what your runny nose has already told you.
2. It’s a lot more dangerous than you would think
The most common diseases in the mouth can go without symptoms, while secretly getting worse and worse. Yet gum disease is the number one reason why people lose their teeth, and most people have no idea they have it! Often bacteria can trap itself under the gum line, secretly rotting the teeth or bone underneath. Additionally, we are now discovering that gum disease can also have a dramatic impact on your heart health. We now know that half of cardiac events are associated with oral bacteria! While we have long known there is an association with overall health and gum health, we are more aware than ever before about the connection between your mouth and the rest of your body.
3. Treatment is a must
It is for this reason that one of our core principles is to properly diagnose all conditions in the oral cavity. We take the time to examine both your teeth and gums on a regular basis so we can identify those problems before you have symptoms. While it is no fun to get bad news, we find that honesty about what we see when it comes to potential problems in your mouth is the best way to go. With regular care, we can also alert you when we see something that could become an issue later. Then, you are informed about any consequences that might arise, as well as the benefits of treating problems early.