Healthy teeth and gums mean much more than a pretty smile. According to recent research, poor oral health and serious health problems often go hand in hand. Periodontal disease (inflammation or degeneration of the gums and bones supporting the teeth) affects 75% of Americans over age 55, causing 25% of them to lose their teeth. But is also increased the risk of other, more serious health problems.

Periodontal disease involves infections of the gums and bone that may be present years before symptoms necessitate treatment.

What is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal (gum) disease is caused by plaque, a colorless film of bacteria that forms on teeth. Plaque is most harmful when these bacteria form into colonies, which takes about 24 hours. If not removed daily, plaque mixes with sugars and starches in the diet to form acids and other byproducts in the saliva. Plaque irritates the gums, causing them to become red, tender and swollen. It also causes the gums to bleed easily. If not removed, plaque hardens to form calculus (tarter) around the neck of the teeth. Eventually, the irritants in plaque destroy the tissue that attaches the gums to the teeth. The gums pull away from the teeth and small pockets form between the teeth and gums. These pockets become filled with more plaque. Eventually, the jawbone supporting the teeth is destroyed. Low-grade, ongoing bacterial infection activates the immune system, resulting in chronic inflammation, which double the risk of stroke and triples the risk of heart attack.

Several strains of oral bacteria have been associates with the development of blood clots, blockage in the arteries, and the abnormal metabolism of blood fats-all factors in cardiovascular disease. In a 1997 study of 1,372 Native Americans, it was found that the risk of heart attack was 2.7 times higher in individuals with periodontal disease than in those with healthy gums.

Periodontal disease is usually a slow, painless, progressive disease. Most adults with gum disease are unaware that they have it. However, if diagnosed early, the teeth can be saved.

There are well established links between periodontal disease and some systemic illnesses.

• periodontal disease and stroke;
• tooth loss and cardiovascular disease;
• periodontal disease and coronary heart disease;
• periodontal disease and pregnancy outcomes;
• periodontal disease and peripheral vascular disease;
• periodontal disease and all cause mortality; and
• antibiotic treatment of periodontal disease and diabetes/glycemic control.

Other Causes of Periodontal Disease

In addition to plaque, a number of factors contribute to gum disease including:

1. Physical and chemical irritants - impacted food, smoking, chewing tobacco, excessive alcohol consumption, improper use of dental floss and toothpicks.

2. Oral conditions or habits that cause abnormal stress on mouth tissues - badly aligned teeth, poor fitting bridges or partial dentures, defective fillings; also habits such as grinding or clenching the teeth, or chewing on ice.

3. Unbalanced diet - evidence shows a link between nutritional deficiency and the body's ability to fight off infection.

4. Pregnancy - increased hormone levels may aggravate a condition commonly referred to as "pregnancy gingivitis."

5. Disease- diabetes, uremia, liver dysfunction, AIDS, anemia and leukemia may affect the health of your gums.

6. Certain medications - oral contraceptives, anti-epilepsy drugs, steroids and cancer therapy drugs may also affect the gums.

7. Parasites

What Are The Signs?

• Gums that bleed when you brush
• Red, swollen or tender gums
• Gums that have receded or shrunken away from your teeth
• Pus between your teeth and gums when you press your gums with your finger
• Teeth that seem loose or change position; often the front teeth tend to "fan" out
• A change in your bite
• A change in the way your partial dentures fit
• Bad breath or chronic bad taste in your mouth

Diagnosis

The only way to confirm a diagnosis of periodontal disease is to have your mouth thoroughly examined, and the necessary oral X-rays to be taken. At that time we may use a special instrument called a periodontal probe to measure the depth of the crevice (pocket) - the space between the tooth and gum tissue. Pocket depth measurement, clinical examination and X-rays determine the precise extent of gum disease.

Treatment

The type of treatment you require depends on how advanced your particular case is. Individualized treatment may include any of the following:

• Prophylactic cleaning which we recommend to have every 3, 4 or 6 month a year depending on the condition of your gum.
• Scaling and root planning. Scaling is removing the calculus deposits from your teeth; root planning is the smoothing of the root surfaces so that the gum tissue can reattach to the tooth.
• Curettage removes the soft tissue lining the periodontal pocket. This helps the gum tissue to heal.
• Gingivectomy is a surgical removal of the periodontal pockets when the disease does not involve the jawbone.
• Flap surgery allows us to gain access to the root of the tooth for removal of calculus, plaque and diseased tissue. The gum is then secured back into place. Flap surgery is sometimes accompanied by osseous (bone) surgery, in which the bone around the tooth is reshaped or part of it is removed.
• Nutritional support of the major organs ( ask us for details)

More than half of all adults aged 35 and over have the early stages of this disease. Three out of four adults are eventually affected by it. Periodontal disease is the primary cause of lost teeth after age 35. But the good news is that there are steps you can take to prevent periodontal disease in your mouth. If caught in its early stages, gum disease can be reversed.

A Final Word

You do not need to loose your teeth to gum disease.

• Thoroughly brush and floss
• Eat well-balanced meals
• Have your mouth examined regularly
• Visit us at least twice a year

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