This article describes the symptoms experienced by patients presenting with mild to acute periodontal (gum) disease. It also advises that one seek immediate treatment should any of these be evident.

Gum Disease in Green Bay: An Overview

Gum disease in Green Bay is no laughing matter; quite the opposite actually and this fact has more to do with complete edentulism (not having any teeth) than just mere tooth decay! It also has to do with the fact that the bacteria in gum disease can be passed to other family members through saliva. Studies are showing a clear link between gum disease and increase incidence of stroke, heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, respiratory disease, and premature birth or low birth weight babies. So what is gum disease and how is it caused? Gum or periodontal disease is characterized by an acute and chronic bacterial infection of the soft tissues – or gums – surrounding the teeth. It is most frequently caused by poor lifelong oral hygiene and smoking, although runner ups would include serious diseases (cancer, HIV/AIDS and diabetes) as well as being dealt an unlucky hand in the genetic department. What is surprising to learn about gum disease in Green Bay is that an incredible 80% of citizens have it in some form or stage! That means that if you had to stand in a room of 10 people, only two would not present with bacterial infection of the gums! Hopefully, you are one of these two, but the statistics do not speak in your favor, especially if you are a smoker and can’t remember your last dental appointment!

Gum Disease in Green Bay: Knowing the Symptoms

One of the biggest problems with gum disease – and probably the reason why millions of people in the United States have it without even knowing it – is that in its beginning stages, it doesn’t cause any serious symptoms. Mild inflammation of the gums, some tooth discoloration and a bit of gum bleeding when brushing can all deftly be filed away under ‘things to not worry about just yet’. However, by the time gum disease in Green Bay becomes acutely painful, you will likely need the associated teeth extracted because they will be too far gone to treat.

Take a good look at your pearly whites. Gum disease in Green Bay can cause the following:

• Brown spots and discoloration between your teeth

• Redness of the gums (inflammation)

• Bad breath: The bacteria that populate the gingiva (gums) produce unpleasant by-products that smell as bad as they look (if you could see the accumulations up-close-and-personal through a microscope). Bad breath can be difficult to gauge subjectively, but if you’ve noticed people shying away or taking a step back from you when you speak, then chances are your breath is on the wrong side of ‘minty fresh’. You could also ask a close friend…

• Bleeding when brushing or flossing: Infected gums break and tear easily causing bleeding even when mild pressure is applied.

• Tooth mobility or shifting

• Tooth loss: Book an appointment immediately!

Gum Disease in Green Bay: The Bottom Line

If you are a smoker and/or can personally admit that you’ve never been very thorough about looking after your teeth, then chances are that you already have or will develop periodontal (gum) disease. The best thing you can do is to start looking after your teeth (that means brushing regularly, flossing and using an anti-bacterial mouthwash), immediately book yourself an appointment with the dentist and for the sake of your health and the health of your pearly whites, stop smoking! Gum disease in Green Bay is a pervasive but entirely preventable problem that needs immediate treatment before bone deterioration in the jaws and tooth loss ensues.

This article explores the implications that pregnancy has upon a woman’s oral health in terms of the risk of gum disease, and vice versa. 

The Family Dentist in Green Bay: Introduction

This may come as somewhat of a surprise, but according to the family dentist in Green Bay, expecting women are at a higher risk of developing gum disease! The relationship between pregnancy and the occurrence of gum disease in Green Bay – an acute oral bacterial infection – is so well documented that the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry even releases oral health guidelines for women that are expecting a child. But the relationship goes both ways. The hormones your body naturally produces leaves pregnant women more vulnerable to oral bacterial infection, while at the same time, oral bacterial infection is known to cause complications in pregnancy and child birth. In fact, woman with gum disease in Green Bay frequently give birth to premature babies, which poses severe health risks for these typically underweight babies. It is because of this dangerous link that expecting women absolutely need to pay the family dentist in Green Bay regular visits throughout their pregnancy (www.dentistgreenbay.com).

What the Family Dentist in Green Bay Recommends

Pregnancy gingivitis is an extremely common form of gum disease in Green Bay that is characterized by a bacterial infection of the soft tissues surrounding the teeth. Generally brought on by the rapidly changing hormonal levels associated with pregnancy, the symptoms include inflammation, swelling, bad breath and weakened gums that subsequently tear easier when brushing. The family dentist in Green Bay recommends that all expectant mothers be very thorough about their oral hygiene routine during this time.

The fundamental reason for this is because gingivitis can quite easily become aggravated in to a far more serious condition known as periodontitis. Once this has happened, the treatment required becomes more invasive and expensive for the patient. This is not to mention the far more serious symptoms (bone loss leading to tooth mobility and eventual loss) and risks for the unborn baby. Due to the labor-inducing chemical Prostaglandin, which is released by oral bacteria, pregnant women with periodontitis are seven times more likely to give birth to premature babies. As a result, expecting mothers should set up regular appointments with the family dentist in Green Bay so that he can deal effectively and promptly with any signs of oral infection… before it starts causing problems.

The Family Dentist in Green Bay: Dealing with Pregnancy Gingivitis

According to the family dentist in Green Bay, there is no way to really ‘prevent’ pregnancy gingivitis and it inevitably develops in a staggering 50% of all pregnant women! Only regular brushing and flossing can keep oral bacteria from flourishing. If you are expecting a child and are especially concerned about the risk of developing gum disease in Green Bay, then there are additional measures that you can take to protect both your oral health and the unborn child:

• Use a fluoride toothpaste
• Brush your teeth after every meal, not just twice a day
• Gargle after meals with an anti-bacterial mouthwash
• Eat balanced meals and limit your sugar-intake and acidic beverages: this will reduce plaque build-up during the day
• Drink plenty of water

While pregnancy gingivitis can sometimes be unavoidable due to fluctuating hormonal levels, this need not pose a threat to expecting mothers and their babies. Make sure you let the family dentist in Green Bay know whether you are expecting a child so he can monitor your oral health for any signs or symptoms that may require additional therapy during this vulnerable time (www.cosmeticdentistrygreenbaywisconsin.com).