Studies have shown that periodontaldisease, also known as gum disease, is linked to heart attacks and
strokes. Gum disease is an infection in the gums surrounding the
teeth. Gum disease is also one of the main causes of tooth loss among
adults. There are two major stages of gum disease: gingivitis and
periodontitis. Regular dental check ups along with brushing at least
twice a day and flossing daily play an important role in preventing
gum disease.
Gingivitis: This mildest form causes
gums to become red, swollen and bleed easily. There is usually little
or no discomfort at this stage. Gingivitis is reversible with
professional treatment and good home oral care, as at this stage
there is no bone loss.
Mild Periodontitis: If gingivitis is
left untreated, it can advance to periodontitis. In the mild stage,
it begins to destroy the bone and tissues that support the teeth.
Moderate - Advanced Periodontitis: In
the mid-stages, it can lead to more bone and tissue destruction. The
most advanced form of this disease includes extensive bone and tissue
loss. Teeth often become loose and may have to be removed.
Everyone has bacteria in their mouths.
If proper oral care is not done at home through regular brushing and
flossing, it grows into colonies and creates a layer on your teeth
and gums called biofilm. This biofilm, if untreated can multiply, as
it thrives in the dark area between the gums and teeth.
A build up of biofilm begins to
irritate the tissues of the gums and eventually leads to gingivitis.
At this point, bleeding begins. If professional care is taken and
good oral health habits are taken at home, the disease can be stopped
at this stage without any residual effects.
If gingivitis is not treated, the
bacterial biofilm causes the gums to pull away from the teeth,
creating more room for the bacteria to grow. This is when
periodontitis sets in and bone loss begins to occur. Bone loss cannot
be regrown, but at this stage the process can be halted with proper
treatment from your dentist. If it continues to be left untreated
however, it can lead to the loss of teeth if enough bone is
destroyed.
Treatment for Periodontal Disease:
Early treatment of gum disease is very
important. The goals of treatment are to prevent gum disease from
permanently damaging tissues, control infection, and prevent tooth
loss. For treatment to be effective, you will need to:
- Keep your teeth clean by brushing two times a day and flossing one time a day.
- See your dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings.
- Avoid all tobacco use. Tobacco decreases your ability to fight infection, interferes with healing, and makes you more likely to have serious gum disease that results in tooth loss.
Treatment for mild gum disease
If you have a milder type of gum
disease (gingivitis ), you may be able to reverse the damage to your
gums:
- Brush your teeth two times a day, in the morning and before bedtime.
- Floss your teeth one time a day.
- Use an antiseptic mouthwash, such as Listerine, or an antiplaque mouthwash.
For more information on how to care for
your teeth, see:
Dental Care: Brushing and Flossing
Your Teeth.
Your dentist will want to see you for
regular checkups and cleanings. Professional cleaning can remove
plaque and tartar that brushing and flossing missed. After you have
had gum disease, you may need to see your dentist every 3 or 4 months
for follow-up.
Your dentist may prescribe antibiotics
to help fight the infection. They can be put directly on the gums,
swallowed as pills or capsules, or swished around your teeth as
mouthwash. Your dentist may also recommend an antibacterial
toothpaste that reduces plaque and gingivitis when used regularly.
Gum Disease Treatment Natural Way:
Preventive Measures for Gum Disease:
The bacteria in plaque are the main
cause of periodontal disease. But several other factors also can
contribute. They include other diseases, medicines and oral habits.
These factors can increase your risk of gum disease or make it worse
once the infection has set in.
Genes — Some people are more
likely than others to get periodontal disease because of their genes.
But your genes do not make gum disease inevitable. Even people who
are highly prone to periodontal disease can prevent or control the
disease with good oral care.
Smoking and tobacco use — Smoking
increases the risk of periodontal disease. The longer you smoke, and
the more you smoke, the higher the risk. If you have periodontal
disease, smoking makes it more severe. Smoking is a major reason that
some cases of periodontal disease are resistant to treatment. Smokers
tend to collect more tartar on their teeth. They often develop deeper
periodontal pockets once they have gum disease. They also are likely
to lose more bone as the disease gets worse. Unlike many other
factors that affect the health of your gums, the decision to smoke or
not is under your control. Quitting smoking can play a major role in
bringing periodontal disease under control.
Misaligned or crowded teeth, braces
or bridgework — Anything that makes it more difficult to brush or
floss your teeth is likely to enhance plaque and tartar formation.
The more plaque and tartar you have, the greater your chance of
developing gum disease. Dentists and periodontists can show you the
best ways to clean your teeth, even if they are hard to clean. For
example, you can use special tools and ways of threading floss to
clean around bridgework or slide under braces. If overcrowded or
crooked teeth are a problem, your dentist might recommend
orthodontics. This could straighten out your smile and give you a
better chance of preventing disease.
Grinding, gritting or clenching of
teeth — These habits won't cause periodontal disease. However, they
can lead to more severe disease if your gums are already inflamed.
These habits exert excess force on the teeth. This pressure appears
to speed up the breakdown of the periodontal ligament and bone. In
many cases, people can learn to stop this habit simply by recognizing
when it is happening and then relaxing. If these efforts don't work,
your dentist or periodontist can create a custom guard appliance to
help reduce the pressure of clenching or grinding on the teeth. This
device is sometimes called an occlusal guard, night guard, mouth
guard or bite guard.
Stress — Stress can make
periodontal disease worse and harder to treat. Stress weakens your
body's immune system. This makes it harder for your body to fight off
infection, including periodontal disease.
Fluctuating hormones — Whenever
hormone levels go up and down in the body, changes can occur in the
mouth. Puberty and pregnancy can temporarily increase the risk and
severity of gum disease. So can menopause.
Medicines — SSeveral types of
medicines can cause dry mouth, or xerostomia. Examples include
certain drugs for depression and high blood pressure. If you don't
have enough saliva, plaque is more likely to form. This may lead to
tooth decay (cavities). Other medicines may cause the gums to
enlarge. This makes them more likely to trap plaque. These medicines
include:
Phenytoin (Dilantin and other
brand names), used to control seizures
Cyclosporine (Neoral,
Sandimmune), used to suppress the immune system in people who have
had organ transplants
Nifedipine (Adalat, Cardizem
and others) and other calcium channel blockers, used to treat high
blood pressure, chest pain (angina) or heart arrhythmias.
Diseases — People with certain
diseases have a higher risk of developing periodontal disease. For
example, people with diabetes are more likely to get periodontitis
than people without diabetes. Their gum disease is also likely to be
more severe. Other diseases that increase periodontal disease risk
include inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and HIV
infection. Having one of these diseases can make the control of your
periodontal disease more difficult. But a good periodontist or
dentist who is aware of these problems can give you guidance on how
to maintain your periodontal health.
Poor nutrition — Nutrition is
important for overall good health, including a working immune system
and healthy gums and mouth. Severe vitamin C deficiency (scurvy) can
cause bleeding gums.
