Is gum disease a deadly condition?

Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is an infection of the smile that starts mild, causing red, swollen gum tissues, but can progress to the point where it can cause extreme damage and harm to the body. Some patients ask if gum disease is deadly, and the answer can be somewhat complex. Dr. Claire Cho and her team at Claire Cho DDS of Aliso Viejo, California, encourage patients to learn how periodontal disease can affect the rest of the body.

Is gum disease deadly?

Gum disease can be extremely damaging to the smile, causing bone loss, gum tissue loss, and tooth loss. It can completely devastate a patient’s smile and require extensive–and even expensive!–repairs to restore the smile after it has caused this damage. However, what needs to be monitored is the transfer of the infection to other parts of the body. 

Periodontal disease causes bacteria in the mouth, which can then enter the bloodstream. This is known as the “oral-systemic connection.” When bacteria enters the bloodstream and is carried to other parts of the body, it can cause an increased risk of strokes, heart attacks, and other medical problems.

How can periodontal disease be treated?

At Claire Cho DDS, Dr. Claire Cho and her team will evaluate your smile and give you a proper diagnosis of your condition. If the later stages of periodontitis are spotted, patients must seek treatment as soon as possible to restore oral health and wellness. Dr. Claire Cho will often recommend a cleaning that goes deep within the smile to treat the infection and repair the smile. This treatment is known as the LANAP procedure for gum disease.

LANAP is an acronym for Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure. It is a highly advanced and modern approach to treating periodontal disease. The procedure uses state-of-the-art dental lasers to remove infection and promote healing in the gums. This minimizes discomfort and reduces the risk of gum recession, a common side effect of traditional gum surgery.

LANAP is a preferred treatment for many patients, especially compared to more traditional methods such as scaling and root planing.

How do I learn more about caring for my smile after a diagnosis of periodontal disease?

If you live in the area of Aliso Viejo, California, and want to speak to our team of professionals about our oral health services, we invite you to call the office at (949) 541-2529 to request a visit.

We are open to new and returning patients in our state-of-the-art dental office.