Oral Bacteria Are Like Termites

Posted on Mar 24, 2014 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

It is unlawful to sell a home that has termites; that’s how destructive these little bugs are to the structure of a home. When a homeowner learns they have termites, immediate measures are taken to combat these demons and repair the damage they’ve caused thus far.

Oral bacteria, which are living ‘bugs,’ are no less destructive than termites. They multiply quickly and spend their lives eating away at the structure of your mouth. Oral bacteria begin by eating away at gum tissue and tooth surfaces. As they continue to multiply, they destroy bone structure below the gum line as well.

When oral bacteria enters the blood stream through tears in diseased gum tissues, they can trigger an inflammatory reaction elsewhere in the body. Oral bacteria have been linked to heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, preterm babies, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease and even impotency.

Unlike the home in which you reside, your body is your forever home. When you think of oral bacteria as they truly are – like termites in the mouth – your oral health will have a more prominent part in your overall health commitment.

If you have signs of gum disease, oral bacteria is already causing damage. Symptoms include gums that bleed when you brush, persistent bad breath, sore and tender gums or receded gums. Delaying treatment only allows these oral ‘bugs’ to multiply further and continue their damage.

Call us at (828) 274-9440 for a consultation, or better yet, schedule an examination so we can determine your specific level of gum disease and treatment needed.