My dentist recommended periodontal treatment.  What if I do nothing?

Chronic periodontal disease has been positively linked to coronary artery disease (heart disease), peripheral vascular disease (blood vessels of the body), strokes, poor control over blood sugar (glycemic control) among diabetics, preterm labor, intrauterine growth restriction, and low birth weight. There is little question that poor oral health and poor general health are closely related.

​

Untreated periodontal disease results in the loss of teeth and tooth supporting bone. Complications from the loss of teeth include improper chewing and digestion of food; weight loss or gain as the patient’s dietary habits change; change in the shape and proportions of the face; shortening of the chewing muscles; irregular force distribution into the jaw joints, and possible development of temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD).

​

Periodontal disease causes bad breath (halitosis) and compromises the beauty of the smile. Failure to treat periodontal disease may result in infections, pain and swelling.