Gum disease is a serious condition that affects your teeth in various ways. When you have gum disease, bacteria infect your gums and cause inflammation, bleeding, and pain. These bacteria can also damage the enamel, the hard outer layer of your teeth, and cause cavities or tooth decay. If gum disease is not treated, it can progress to a more severe stage called periodontitis. Periodontitis is when the bacteria spread below the gum line and destroy the tissues and bones that support your teeth. This can lead to tooth loss, as your teeth become loose or fall out.
Some of the effects of gum disease on your teeth are:
– Tooth sensitivity: You may feel pain or discomfort when you eat or drink something hot, cold, sweet, or sour. This is because the enamel of your teeth is eroded by the bacteria and exposes the inner layer of your teeth, called dentin, which contains nerve endings.
– Tooth discoloration: Your teeth may look yellow, brown, or black due to the accumulation of plaque and tartar (hardened plaque) on your teeth. Plaque and tartar also make it harder to clean your teeth and prevent fluoride from reaching them.
– Tooth abscess: You may develop a pus-filled pocket at the root of your tooth due to a bacterial infection. This can cause severe pain, swelling, fever, and bad breath. If the abscess is not drained and treated, it can spread to other parts of your body and cause serious complications.
– Tooth fracture: You may experience a crack or break in your tooth due to the weakening of the tooth structure by the bacteria. This can expose the pulp, the soft tissue inside your tooth that contains blood vessels and nerves. This can cause pain, infection, and inflammation.
– Tooth mobility: You may notice that your teeth are loose or shifting in your mouth due to the loss of bone and tissue that hold them in place. This can affect your bite, speech, and appearance. You may also have difficulty chewing and eating.
Gum disease is a preventable and treatable condition that requires regular dental care and good oral hygiene. You should brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, floss or use interdental brushes daily to clean between your teeth, visit your dentist and hygienist regularly for check-ups and cleaning, quit smoking if you smoke, eat a balanced diet and avoid sugary foods and drinks⁴. If you have any symptoms of gum disease, such as bleeding, swollen or sore gums, bad breath, or loose teeth, you should see your dentist as soon as possible for diagnosis and treatment