Oral conditions, such as periodontal disease negatively impact your overall health through the oral-systemic link, including diabetes, heart disease, and respiratory illnesses, but the impact of gum disease does not stop there.
Another factor, rarely considered, is the impact that periodontal disease can have on your day-to-day experiences, dramatically reducing your quality of life.
Here Are 3 Ways that Gum Disease Can Negatively Affect Your Quality of Life
Gum Pain and Teeth Sensitivity
Gum disease, often accompanied by inflammation, can make gums quite painful when brushing, flossing, and eating. Patients may feel tempted to avoid daily brushing and flossing due to discomfort, which leads to advanced stages of infection.
Anytime your gums appear red, swollen, or are bleeding, it is time for a trip to the dentist. We offer periodontal treatment in our Encinitas dental office to restore your comfort and your health.
Gum recession, a common condition associated with periodontal disease, can also make your teeth more sensitive due to the exposure of the root structure. We monitor recession at each periodontal exam and recommend treatment, such as gum grafting or restorations, when necessary.
Eating a Restricted Diet
Patients with tender gums often avoid some of the healthiest foods, such as crunchy fruits and vegetables, because it is simply too painful to chew them. This can lead to a soft and often less nutritious diet.
By seeking treatment for gum conditions, we are able to expand your diet and protect your overall health by enabling better nutrition.
Offensive Bad Breath
As with body odor, the last person who realizes an offending smell is often the one who smells. If you suffer from bad breath, called halitosis, you may have periodontal disease. Food smells such as garlic and onions disappear after brushing and flossing, but the smell associated with an infection will not go away. Mints and gum only temporarily mask the odor.
Your social life may be impacted by bad breath. Our team will always be honest with you so that you can take action.
Call Us for a Dental Appointment
Scott M. Jordan, DDS, and our entire team are here to help you get back on track so that you can enjoy a healthy smile and an improved quality of life.Call our Encinitas office today to make an appointment!