Inflammation Process - San Francisco, CA

The Inflammatory Process & Dental Inflammation

Understanding Dental Inflammation & How It Affects Your Health

Inflammation is how the body responds to injury, disease, or illness.

When you cut yourself and a scab forms, that’s an example of the inflammatory process at work. While your body is usually very adept at healing itself, there are unfortunately many situations where the natural inflammatory response actually makes a problem worse!

Inflammatory processes in the mouth lead to: tooth decay, cavities, gum disease and tooth and bone loss.

Inflammation in the mouth can begin a frustrating cycle that can’t be resolved without the help of a skilled dentist. Inflammatory processes in the mouth lead to:

4 symptoms of Inflammation in the Mouth
  • Stained or Chipped Teeth
  • Bleeding or Swollen Gums
  • Chronic Bad Breath
  • Pain in Your Teeth or Gums
The Inflammation Process San Francisco, CA

The Consequences of Untreated Gum Inflammation

When dental inflammation is left untreated, your body loses its ability to heal itself naturally. Over time, as gum inflammation caused by bacteria in the mouth continues, you’ll experience:

Tooth Decay & Cavities

Over 95% of adults suffer from tooth decay at some point in their lives, but it’s avoidable with diet and proper dental care.

Gum Disease

The mouth is the gateway to the body. Modern research shows that untreated gum disease increases risks of heart disease and diabetes.

Tooth Loss

Tooth loss leads to bone loss. You won’t be able to chew normally and your face will take on a sunken appearance.

The Inflammation Process
The Inflammation Process San Francisco, CA

Bacteria & Dental Inflammation

There will always be bacteria in your mouth; eliminating all of it is neither desirable nor possible! Instead, what we want to do is help you maximize the healthy “good” bacteria in your mouth and minimize the decay-causing “bad” bacteria.

When the bad bacteria thrive, the result is damage to the tissue in your mouth. Your body responds with an inflammatory response, which is the beginning of the vicious cycle of tooth decay and gum disease. You can manage the bacteria in your mouth by:

  • Eating a healthy balanced diet rich in leafy greens and low in sugary and acidic foods
  • Brushing and flossing regularly at home
  • Visiting the dentist for checkups and cleanings to remove built up tartar and plaque