How Dangerous Is Untreated Gum Infection Swelling?
Health Issues Caused by Untreated Gum Disease
Regular visits to dentists allow them to look for complications like gum disease; however, it’s important to be diligent and track our own health between visits. Problems with your gums should be prioritized. Allow your dentist to give their professional opinion on any issues you’re having. If you are having serious problems, including swollen gums, red coloration of the gums, bleeding, or any other unusual symptoms, contact Buckeye Immediate Dental today. Ignoring swollen gums is dangerous and, without treatment, can lead to periodontal disease, dental abscess, bone damage, tooth loss, and other serious health issues.
Understanding and Identifying Periodontal Disease
The beginnings of periodontal disease are often associated with plaque buildup. When a patient has poor hygiene and doesn’t regularly remove plaque by cleaning their teeth, it can harden and calcify, turning into tartar. Tartar bonds to the enamel of a tooth, making it impossible to remove without help from a dentist. If ignored, your gums will become irritated, causing gum problems and potentially gingivitis. Gingivitis is the beginning of gum disease, and if you’re noticing any signs, it’s crucial to seek treatment immediately. Any professional dentist will be able to help reduce inflammation and possibly reverse gingivitis.
When gingivitis is ignored, a dental infection can quickly turn into periodontal disease. As the gum disease worsens, the gums will separate from your teeth. Oral infections trigger a response from your body to fight the infection, but without immediate treatment, this can cause bigger issues for the patient. As the immune system tries to fight the infection, it can damage the bone that holds the tooth in place, meaning the tooth can become loose and fall out. Good oral hygiene and professional cleanings by a dentist twice a year will significantly reduce the chance of gum disease, swelling, infection, or other serious complications. Regularly inspect your mouth and look for symptoms of gum disease to protect your mouth from bone loss and gingivitis. Look for anything out of the ordinary, like gum inflammation, fever, bleeding, and more. Continue reading to learn about the signs that you have periodontal disease and should seek treatment.
Signs You Should Seek Treatment for a Gum Infection
Often, the first time patients notice something wrong with their mouth is when they experience pain. While eating, breathing, and oral maintenance should never be painful, pain is not always the first sign of dental disease or infection. Common signs that there may be a dental emergency are excessive bleeding when brushing or flossing, unusual texture of the gums, or areas of the gums turning dark or red. Anytime you see sudden swelling or inflammation of the gums, you should seek advice or treatment from a dentist. Other common symptoms indicating an infection include bleeding without cause, trouble swallowing, issues breathing, sudden or severe swelling, and fever. If left untreated, this can quickly turn into a gum infection and abscess, which can lead to bone damage and loss of teeth. Seeking help from an emergency dentist is the best option to get treatment for the infection, reduce swelling, and learn about preventative measures to ensure you remain free of gum disease forever! If your dentist is unavailable to see you immediately, contact Buckeye Immediate Dental.
What May Be Causing Your Gums to Swell
Even with little to no oral pain, swelling of the gums can be a serious infection that points towards several health issues. Gum disease, or periodontitis, is the most common cause of swollen gums. As tartar irritates the gums, they become inflamed. If untreated, the issue can progress to more serious problems that can have serious implications for your overall health. Dental abscesses may form, causing pus to build up in a pocket along the gumline. Abscesses can develop without any symptoms of pain, catching us off guard. The abscess will quickly become severe, and the infection can spread to other parts of the mouth and body. Occasionally, a patient will have an allergic reaction to a medication, toothpaste, mouthwash, or other oral abrasives. In rare cases, swollen gums can point to oral cancer. While this is a less common outcome, we recommend reporting any symptoms to your dentist or visiting Buckeye Immediate Dental to have a dentist give their professional opinion. Take all of these symptoms seriously and don’t prolong treatment for the infection. Gum disease rapidly becomes worse, so contact a dentist today.
Do You Have A Dental Abscess?
A dental abscess is a symptom of a bacterial infection. Visual symptoms of a dental abscess are usually indicated by bright red coloration of the gums and a pocket of pus that may resemble a pimple or bump. There are several types of oral abscesses, but all of them are equally dangerous. Gingival infections start in the gums and are typically a result of poor hygiene. This becomes serious as the infection grows more intense and your immune system tries to protect the body. Periapical abscesses start at the root of the tooth. Bacteria makes its way to the pulp through cracks or decay, and as this worsens, the infection can spread to nerves. Periodontal abscesses are infections that are a result of gum disease. Anytime a patient visits Buckeye Immediate Dental with an oral abscess, we offer immediate treatment. Dental abscesses can be extremely serious to a patient’s health, and we don’t waste any time to help treat the problem and reduce the infection.
Is It a Tooth Abscess or a Gum Abscess?
A tooth abscess is typically a result of tooth decay or a broken tooth, or decay. These problems give bacteria a clear path into the tooth and can cause damage to the pulp, essentially killing the tooth. Gum abscesses present as an infection on the gums, and you will likely see an irritation or a pocket of pus forming. Regardless of the origin, if you believe you have an oral abscess, make a visit to Buckeye Immediate Dental to have it looked at immediately.
How to Prevent a Dental Infection
For most patients, gum disease is entirely preventable. Gum disease is caused by poor oral hygiene, so implementing a hygiene and maintenance schedule is key. Brush your teeth regularly, two or three times per day, floss, and use mouthwash to prevent plaque buildup. Plaque buildup worsens over time and is the source of most gum disease cases. Sticking to a teeth cleaning schedule is also crucial. Plaque and tartar buildup can’t be removed through at-home maintenance and cleaning methods and requires professional dentistry. Schedule cleanings with your dentist twice per year in order to keep tartar and plaque buildup from occurring. Skipping these cleanings allows the plaque to build up over time, causing serious health issues and potential gum disease.
Columbus, Ohio Emergency Oral Disease Treatment
Buckeye Immediate Dental offers emergency relief. We accept appointments or walk-in patients during certain business hours. From emergency wisdom teeth extractions and root canals to dental infections and gum disease, Buckeye Immediate Dental is ready to help with your emergency. Contact us today or walk in to our clinic.