Does Sugar Cause Gum Disease?

Yes, sugar can lead to gum disease. We all know that sugar is bad for our health and can cause diabetes and obesity. However, some studies have shown that sugar can increase your risk of dental decay and gum disease.

What is Gum Disease?

Gum disease is an infection that causes inflammation and bleeding in your gums. The disease occurs in two stages–gingivitis and periodontitis.

Gingivitis is a milder form of gum disease that affects the gums, while periodontitis attacks the bone and tissue around the teeth, making it more serious.

How Does Sugar Cause Cavities and Gum Disease?

Sugar is a cause of dental cavities and gum disease. We have a colony of bacteria in the mouth, some are beneficial, and others cause disease. The disease-causing bacteria feed on sugary foods. The bacteria in your mouth produce acid as they break down sugars and starches. This acid can dissolve tooth enamel and damage teeth. The bacteria also produce sticky substances called plaque that build along the gum line. The plaque can harden and cause tartar, which carries bacteria. Calculus can affect the gum, causing inflammation and gum disease.

The acid solution also erodes the enamel, causing it to wear away. This will lead to cavities in the teeth and, in worse cases, tooth decay.

Diabetes also affects the gums because it increases the risk of gum disease. It causes high sugar levels in the mouth that feed bacteria which cause gum inflammation. That is why it is easy for a dentist in SW Calgary to notice early signs of diabetes from the condition of your gums.

What Are the Other Factors of Gum Disease?

There are many factors of gum disease, and they include:

• Poor hygiene

Poor oral hygiene can lead to plaque buildup on the teeth, which causes inflammation in the gums and eventually leads to gum disease.

Poor oral health can lead to many other medical conditions, like heart disease, diabetes, and pneumonia.

• Smoking

Smoking is a risk factor for gum disease because it decreases the blood flow to the gums. This causes the gums to become dry, making them more susceptible to infection. Smoking also increases your risk of developing periodontal disease, a serious condition that leads to tooth loss and other health problems.

How Can You Tell You Have Inflamed Gums?

Symptoms of gum disease depend on the severity of the condition. In general, gum disease symptoms include:

• Red or tender gums
• Gums that bleed when brushed or flossed
• Gums that recede from teeth
• Swollen or enlarged gums
• Bad breath (halitosis)
• Loose teeth. This can be dangerous as it may lead to loss of teeth. Visit a Calgary emergency dentist for assistance and proper treatment if you notice wiggly teeth.

How is Gum Disease Treated?

The first step in treating gum disease is to stop it from getting worse. This is done by removing plaque and tartar on the teeth with a toothbrush or dental floss.

There are many methods of treatment for gum disease. including:

• Scaling and root planning,

Scaling is a procedure where a dentist scrapes off the hard surface of the tooth, tartar, and plaque from the tooth to prevent decay. Root planing is a dental procedure in which a dentist reshapes the gums and reattaches them to the teeth.

• Flap surgery

Flap surgery is done to reduce the gum pockets in the gums and correct receding gums. The dentist will remove the diseased tissue and then stitch up the gums. The dentist may also cut away some of the bone around the teeth to make it easier for them to heal.

• Soft tissue

Soft tissue grafting is the surgical procedure in which a piece of soft tissue is taken from one place on the mouth and grafted to another. It is usually done to help with gum disease treatment.

How Long Does Gum Disease Recovery Take?

Gum disease recovery is straightforward, but it depends on the type of treatment done. You may experience pain, swelling, soreness, and gum bleeding during the healing period. They will clear with time but seek emergency dental in Calgary, the problem persists.

Schedule an Appointment

Visit Dental at the Met for more information about gum disease and how you can prevent it.