Is Gum Disease Contagious?
03 Sep 2024
Gum disease is among the most troubling dental illnesses. It causes gum recession and bleeding, which may be painful. If you don’t visit your West Miami dentist in a timely manner, it may lead to even more serious consequences, like tooth loss and severe jawbone recession.
Sadly, around 75% of Americans currently suffer from periodontal disease, making it a highly common disease. Unbeknown to most, periodontitis is a pretty contagious disease. It can easily spread to your loved ones if you’re not careful and don’t oversee the importance of getting a periodontal treatment.
Here’s what you need to know about this.
Is Periodontal Disease Contagious?
The answer is yes.
Gingivitis is caused by a bacterial infection that spreads to the gums from plaque buildup. This bacteria can pass from person to person. Although short-term, casual contact cannot transmit gum disease, prolonged, frequent salivary contact (e.g., kissing) can raise your risk of developing periodontal disease.
Pregnant Women and Gingivitis
Did you know that several biological factors make pregnant women more susceptible to gingivitis? If it goes unnoticed, it’s easy for them to pass it to their baby once they’re born by taste-testing their food or gauging its temperature before offering it to them. Even giving them kisses on the lips can also help spread the bacteria.
Babies and Gum Disease
Due to their developing immune systems, babies are more likely to get gingivitis. In fact, a 2008 study indicates that because of shared bacteria, children are more likely to have gum disease if their parents do.
Because of this, prompt diagnosis of periodontal disease is key to keeping the mouths of you and your family happy and healthy.
Treat Your Gum Disease with Our West Miami Dentist
Having gum disease is not the end of the world! You can keep the illness at bay by maintaining proper oral hygiene and visiting a professional at LP Dental & Cosmetic. Still, it’s important not to leave it untreated.
Without treatment, gum disease can cause serious damage to your mouth and easily spread to your loved ones. To prevent this from happening, reach out to us and let someone from our qualified team help you!