What Happens if Gum Disease is Left Untreated?

If left unchecked, wood rot can cause enough damage to collapse a building, and similar to wood rot, gum infection, when left untreated, will eat away the gum and bone that support your teeth causing your teeth to become loose and fall out. Gum disease is an infection of the gums that has many different stages. Untreated gum disease at any stage is dangerous for your teeth’s overall health.

You may be surprised to learn that in most cases, gum infection silently advances without any pain or real discomfort. Oftentimes, the only symptoms people notice are bad breath and bleeding when brushing one’s teeth.

By the time you notice your teeth are loose, the disease has already taken its toll. The supporting bone has disappeared and your teeth need to be removed.

And just like wood rot, the more advanced the disease, the more time and money it will take to treat the infection and repair the damage. What may have started as needing only a special cleaning and some antibiotics can unexpectedly grow into more complex treatments, such as full mouth surgery or multiple tooth extractions. In addition, research has found that the bacteria that cause gum infection can enter your body through the gums and contribute to the formation of clots and blockages resulting in stroke and heart disease.

So no matter what stage your gum infection might be, please seek out a dentist to help you get it under control. Fortunately, there are multiple therapies that can help manage gum disease. At Normandy Lake Dentistry, we offer gum disease treatment in Jacksonville & Orange Park, FL. Contact either of our locations today to set up an appointment.