Gum Disease and Your Overall Health
Gum Disease and Your
Overall Health
The Impact of
Periodontal Disease
Often taken for granted, the monotonous
task of brushing and flossing our teeth daily has never been
more important in order to avoid periodontal disease known as gum disease and
the risk it places on our overall health. It has been estimated that 75 percent
of Americans have some form of gum disease, which has been linked to serious
health complications and causes various dental problems that like periodontal disease,
are often preventable.
What Is Gum
Disease?
Periodontal disease, also called gum disease, is mainly
caused by bacteria from plaque and tartar buildup. Other
factors that have the potential to cause gum disease may include:
- Tobacco use
- Clenching or grinding your
teeth
- Certain medications
- Genetics
Types of periodontal disease (gum disease) include:
- Gingivitis – The beginning stage of
gum disease and is often undetected. This stage of the disease is
reversible.
- Periodontal
disease –
Untreated gingivitis may lead to this next
stage of gum disease. With many levels of periodontal disease, the common
outcome is chronic inflammatory response, a condition when the body breaks
down the bone and tissue in the infected area of the mouth, ultimately
resulting in tooth and bone loss.
Signs of gum disease include:
- Red, bleeding, and/or
swollen gums
- Bad breath
- Mobility of the teeth
- Tooth sensitivity caused by
receding gums
- Abscessed teeth
- Tooth loss
Recent studies suggest periodontal or
gum disease may contribute to or be warning signs of potentially
life-threatening conditions such as:
- Heart disease
and stroke –
Studies suggest gingivitis may increase the risk of heart disease and
stroke because of the high levels of bacteria found in infected areas of
the mouth. As the level of periodontal disease increases, the risk of
cardiovascular disease may increase with it. Other studies have suggested
that the inflammation in the gums may create a chronic inflammation
response in other parts of the body which has also been implicated in
increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
- Diabetes – People with diabetes
often have some form of gum disease, likely caused by high blood glucose,
according to the U.S. Centers Disease Control and Prevention. People with
diabetes need to take extra care to ensure proper brushing and flossing
techniques are used to prevent the advancement of the gum disease. Regular
check-ups and cleanings with your dental hygienist should be followed.
- Chronic kidney
disease – A
study, conducted by Case Western Reserve University, suggests that people
without any natural teeth, known as edentulous, are more likely to have
chronic kidney disease (CDK), than people with natural teeth. CDK affects
blood pressure potentially causing heart disease, contributed to kidney
failure, and affects bone health.
- Preterm
birth –
Babies that are born premature (before 37 weeks of gestation), may
face numerous health complications. Research indicates that women with
periodontal disease are three to five times more likely to have a baby
born preterm compared to women without any form of gum disease. Women are
more susceptible to gingivitis when pregnant and should follow their
regular brushing habits, and continue with dental cleanings and
examinations.
Treatments for Gum
Disease:
Depending on the type of periodontal
disease, some of the available treatment options are:
- Removal of plaque and calculus by way of scaling done by your dental hygienist or dentist.
- Medications such as chlorhexidine gluconate, a mouth rinse prescribed by your dentist or hygienist to help kill the bacteria in your mouth, along with frequent cleanings.
- Surgery may be necessary in
certain cases to stop, halt, or minimize the progression of periodontal
disease. Surgery is also used to replace bone that was lost in advanced
stages of the disease.
Preventing Gum
Disease
Proper brushing and flossing is the
easiest way to reduce and prevent gum disease, but regular cleanings with your
dental hygienist or dentist are necessary to remove calculus and treat advanced
gum disease. If you are concerned that you may have gum disease, contact your
dentist.
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