Preventing Gum Disease

Periodontal [gum] disease will afflict 3 out of 4 adults after age 35, and it's their major cause of tooth loss. Periodontal disease is the inflammation and infection of the supporting soft and hard tissue surrounding the teeth.

In the early stages, it's called gingivitis which is characterized by redness, swelling, tenderness and bleeding. At this point the symptoms can be alleviate and the tissue returned to normal by daily flossing and brushing. If the process is allowed to continue, it advances to periodontitis, which is characterized by the loss of the tissue attachment to the teeth, a downward migration of the tissue and bone loss [pocketing]. With the loss of its supporting structure, the teeth will become loose and fall out or have to be removed by the dentist.

There are various factors that contribute to gum disease. Allowing plaque [sticky mixture of bacteria, food & debris] accumulate on the teeth is the primary factor. The bacteria will produce toxins [poisons] that attack and destroy the tissue fibers that attach the gums to the teeth [gingival attachment]. Eventually, the plaque will calcify and harden. When this happens, it can only be removed by a professional prophylaxis [cleaning].

The periodontal infection becomes worse and progresses more rapidly in people who have other risk factors - who smoke, are under great stress, have uncontrolled diabetes, consume excess alcohol, have a systemic disease like leukemia that interferes with their immune system and/or have untreated tooth related dental problems.

Warning Signs

Warning signs and systems include bleeding gums when you brush or floss, pus between the tooth and gum, gums that pull away from the teeth, chronic bad breath, tenderness, swelling and loose teeth. If you are experiencing any number of these symptoms, call it to our attention. Found and treated early enough, it can be totally reversible.

Prevention

Having a professional prophylaxis twice a year and flossing and brushing daily will minimize your risk. Eating a balanced diet, especially foods rich in vitamin C, B12, folic acid and calcium, will help strengthen your gums and bone against breakdown. Limit the frequency of eating foods loaded with refined sugar [sucrose]. Other risk factors such as smoking should be eliminated, and related dental problems such as crowded teeth, spaces and cavities should be restored.

Treatment

If caught early, a professional scaling and root planning [scraping] to remove plaque and calculus is performed. This may be supplemented with chemotherapeutic agents and/or antibiotics. Daily maintenance of flossing and brushing is critical.

The more advanced periodontitis usually requires surgery where the gum tissue is cut and the bony pockets are reduced and contoured. Soft and hard tissue grafting procedures may be used to add or grow new tissue.

Although there are some inherited tendencies to developing periodontal disease, it can be easily prevented in most individuals with a little time and effort. It's in your hands.