What is Gum Disease?
Gum disease (also called periodontal disease)
is an infection of the tissues surrounding and supporting
the teeth. It is a major cause of tooth loss in adults. Because
gum disease is usually painless, however, you may not know
you have it.
Gum disease is caused by plaque, a sticky film
of bacteria that constantly forms on the teeth. These bacteria
create toxins that can damage the gums.
In the early stage of gum disease, called gingivitis, the
gums can become red, swollen and bleed easily. At this stage,
the disease is still reversible and can usually be eliminated
by daily brushing and flossing.
In the more advanced stages of gum disease, called periodontitis,
the gums and bone that support the teeth can become seriously
damaged. The teeth can become loose, fall out or have to be
removed by a dentist.
What are the Signs of Gum Disease?
If you notice any of the following signs of
gum disease, see your dentist immediately:
The Stages of Periodontal
Disease
Periodontal disease is an infection of the teeth, gums and
the bone that surround the teeth. If left untreated, it causes
supporting bone to be lost around the teeth. Periodontal disease
is the number one cause of tooth loss in the U.S. today. There
are three stages to periodontal disease, gingivitis, periodontitis,
and advanced periodontitis.
Stage one - gingivitis
This disease of the gums affects more than 90% of the
American population. So you are not alone in the quest
for a healthy mouth. Gingivitis is the mildest, most
reversible form of periodontal disease. It begins when
plaque (a sticky, colorless film of food and bacteria)
forms on your teeth. If the plaque is not removed each
day by brushing and flossing, it begins to harden and
forms tartar (calculus). Your body's reaction to the
bacteria in plaque and tartar causes the typical signs
of gingivitis - red and swollen gums.
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Normal, healthy gums
Healthy gums and bone anchor teeth firmly in place.
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Stage two - periodontitis
As the plaque and tartar works it's it way down below
the gum line, the gums begin to separate away from the
tooth forming a pocket. Once a pocket has formed, the
process accelerates as new, even more destructive types
of bacteria begin to populate the pocket. If the calculus
isn't removed by dental professionals, your body responds
to the infection by sending white blood cells (the body's
natural defense) to the infected area. When these white
blood cells reach your gums, they release enzymes to
attack the infection. Unfortunately, a side effect of
these enzymes is the loss of the normal gum attachment
and bone loss (periodontitis).
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Periodontitis
Un-removed, plaque hardens into calculus (tartar).
As plaque and calculus continue to build up, the gums
begin to recede (pull away) from the teeth, and pockets
form between the teeth and gums.
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Stage three - advanced periodontitis
Over time, if periodontitis continues unchecked, this
bone loss continues. Eventually, so much bone is lost
that some of the teeth begin to become loose. This is
advanced periodontitis.
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Advanced periodontitis
The gums recede farther, destroying more bone and the
periodontal ligament. Teeth - even healthy teeth - may
become loose and need to be extracted.
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How We Diagnose Periodontal Disease and Decay
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Diagnosing periodontal disease
Our doctor and hygienist will complete full mount exam
at your first visit if possible to detect any dental
issue that need to be taken care of.
You may have periodontal (gum) disease and not even
realize it. That's because periodontal disease is usually
not painful, especially in its early stages. To check
for signs and symptoms of periodontal disease, we perform
a thorough periodontal examination, which includes the
use of a periodontal probe and x-rays.
Periodontal disease is an infection in the gums, caused
by the bacteria in plaque. When your gums are healthy,
they fit tightly against your teeth. If you have periodontal
disease, your gums pull away from your teeth in response
to the infection. In a healthy mouth, the space between
your teeth and gums (called a sulcus) is no more than
three millimeters deep. When you have periodontal disease,
the sulcus deepens and eventually exceeds three millimeters;
it's then called a pocket. In general, the deeper the
pockets, the greater the spread of periodontal disease.
During your examination, we use a special instrument
with millimeter markings (called a periodontal probe)
to measure the sulcus or pocket depths around your teeth.
We also carefully note any bleeding as we take your
periodontal measurements. Bleeding gums upon probing
(as well as when you brush and floss) are another sign
of periodontal disease; healthy gums don't bleed. We'll
also note the color and texture of your gums; healthy
gums aren't swollen, and are firm and tight against
the teeth. In the early stages of periodontal disease,
the gums become tender, red and swollen.
Finally, we'll take x-rays of your mouth to establish
whether there has been bone loss around your teeth,
which is another indicator of periodontal disease. If
your mouth is healthy, the bone comes up high around
the necks of your teeth. With periodontal disease, bone
is lost. The longer it goes untreated, the more bone
is lost. Once bone is lost, it never grows back. That's
why it's critical to diagnose and treat periodontal
disease early, to prevent continued bone loss and the
eventual loss of teeth.
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Bone loss is permanent
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Plaque causes pockets
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What are the Dangers of Gum Disease?
Gum Disease is the leading cause of tooth loss
among adults. More importantly, the infection releases toxins
into the bloodstream leading to serious health risks:
Sources: National Institute
of Dental & Craniofacial Research
and American Heart Association
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The Link Between Diabetes and Periodontal Disease
Having diabetes puts you at higher risk for oral infections
and gum disease (also called periodontal disease). Why?
Because diabetes weakens your mouth's natural ability
to fight off germs, including the plaque bacteria that
cause gum disease.
Harmful bacteria in your mouth thrive on glucose, the
kind of sugar that's linked to diabetes. When diabetes
isn't properly controlled, high glucose levels in the
mouth promote the growth of this bacteria and can lead
to tooth decay and periodontal disease, according to
the American Diabetes Association. Diabetics may also
experience diminished salivary flow, which also contributes
to tooth decay by drying out the mouth.
A lack of moisture in the mouth allows plaque - the
sticky film of food residue and bacteria - to build
up on your teeth, leading to a greater chance of tooth
decay and periodontal disease.
Smoking worsens the problem
If you're a smoker over age 45, and you have diabetes,
you are at 20 times greater risk of having gum disease,
because smoking further diminishes your body's natural
ability to heal itself.
Gum disease is not to be taken lightly. In its advanced
stages, gum disease has been linked to serious health
problems like heart disease, stroke and premature or
low-weight babies. Gum disease can also cause you to
lose your teeth, and it will worsen your diabetes.
Signs that you may have periodontal disease:
- Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
- Gums that are red, swollen and/or tender
- Gums that have pulled away from your teeth
- Bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth that won't
go away
- Pus between your teeth and gums when you press on
that area
- Permanent teeth that feel loose
- Teeth that don't line up like they did in the past
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How to stay healthy
Diabetics who effectively control their insulin
levels and who receive prompt treatment for any oral infections
typically have better oral health and are more likely to avoid
gum disease. We'll work with you to make sure your dental
appointments are as short and stress-free as possible, and
to schedule your appointments in the morning when your blood
glucose levels are best controlled. We may also prescribe
a medicated mouth rinse or antibiotics to prevent bacterial
infections in your mouth.
You will need to be diligent about your oral
hygiene, brushing and flossing daily and seeing us at least
twice a year for an exam and a professional cleaning. You
will also need to have your triglyceride and cholesterol levels
checked regularly; these factors have also shown a direct
correlation to the development of gum disease.
How can I prevent gum disease?
 Prevention
is the key
It's always best to diagnose and treat periodontal disease
in it's early stages, before bone has been lost. Once bone
is lost, it never grows back on it's own. Eliminating periodontal
disease, once bone loss has begun, only becomes more and more
difficult.
When you come to our office for regular cleanings and checkups,
we'll use a peridontal probe and x-rays to check for pockets
and bone loss. We have a wide array of treatments and procedures
that remove the tartar and bacteria that cause periodontal
disease. We'll then give you new tools and techniques, and
the feedback you need, to keep your gums and teeth healthy
and plaque-free.
The good news is that you can help prevent gum disease by
taking good care of your teeth every day and having regular
dental checkups. Here's how to keep your teeth and gums healthy:
Brush your teeth well twice
a day.
This removes the film of bacteria from the teeth. Be sure
to use a soft-bristled toothbrush that is in good condition.
Toothpastes and mouth rinses containing fluoride strengthen
the teeth and help prevent decay. Choose products that bear
the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance, your assurance
that they have met the ADA's standards for safety and effectiveness.
The ADA reviews all advertising claims for any product bearing
the Seal. The Seal on a product is an assurance for consumers
and dentists against misleading or untrue statements concerning
a product's safety and effectiveness.
Clean between your teeth every
day.
Cleaning between your teeth with floss or interdental cleaners
removes bacteria and food particles from between the teeth,
where a toothbrush can't reach. Early gum disease can often
be reversed by daily brushing and flossing. If you use interdental
cleaners, ask your dentist how to use them properly, to avoid
injuring your gums.
Eat a balanced diet.
Choose a variety of foods from the basic food groups, such
as breads, cereals and other grain products; fruits; vegetables;
meat, poultry and fish; and dairy products, such as milk,
cheese and yogurt. Limit between-meal snacks.
Visit your dentist regularly.
It is important to have regular dental checkups, and professional
cleaning is essential to prevent periodontal diseases.
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