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Hello Friends!
Today’s topic isn’t a glamorous one, but important nonetheless. Your gums are the foundation and cornerstone to your overall oral health and it’s imperative that you care for them. Gums protect and support your teeth and the tissue that holds them to the bone. When they aren’t healthy, you risk tooth loss and damage to your overall health.
You’ve probably heard the phrase “gum disease”, but what is it? What does it mean if you’ve been diagnosed with it? Is it really that big of a deal? WebMD featured an informative article on the topic and we’ve included some of that information below.
How Gum Disease Happens
It “usually starts in areas that you’re not brushing or keeping clean,” says Mark Ryder, DMD, chair of periodontology at the University of California, San Francisco School of Dentistry. “Bacteria build up in a film on your teeth and you get a reaction to that bacteria — inflammation.”
Swelling of the gums (also known as gingivitis), can be one of the first signs of gum disease. Other symptoms include:
- Gum redness
- Bleeding while brushing or flossing
- Receding gum line
- Loose teeth
- Constant bad breath
- Mouth sores
Pain isn’t one of the first symptoms of gingivitis.
“What’s unique about early gum disease is that it doesn’t cause much discomfort at all,” Ryder says. “So you really have to pay attention to these other symptoms.”
Gum problems can get worse if you don’t get gingivitis treated.
“Infection and inflammation will spread deeper into the tissues that support the tooth,” Ryder says. “When that happens, the inflammation becomes destructive.”
The gums begin to pull away from the teeth, which lets in more bacteria. At this stage, gum disease is called periodontitis.
That condition “causes the tissues and bone that support the teeth to break down,” Ryder says.
This creates pockets where bacteria can grow.
“As you lose bone, your teeth get looser and looser, and eventually, they fall out,” he says.
What’s more, oral health affects your whole body. People with gum disease are more likely to get heart disease and are less able to control their blood sugar, studies show.
The CDC found that 47% of adults older than 30 have periodontitis. After age 65, that number goes up to 70%.
Your odds of getting gum disease are higher if you:
- Use tobacco products
- Are pregnant
- Have a family history of gum disease
- Have diabetes
- Have high stress
- Grind or clench your teeth
Some birth control, antidepressants, and heart medicines may also raise your risk. Tell your dentist about any medications you take regularly.
“Stop smoking, manage diabetes correctly, and if you’re pregnant, think about visiting the dentist more often during your pregnancy,” Ryder says.
How to Treat Gum Disease
Your dentist will remove the root cause: plaque on your teeth.
“The dentist would clean around all the affected areas, and really go down to the bottom of the pocket of the tooth, because that’s where the most harmful bacteria is,” Ryder says. This deep-cleaning process is called scaling.
Other causes will also be explored, like loose fillings or crowns. Your dentist may take X-rays to check for bone loss. You might need surgery if the disease is severe or doesn’t get better with time. You might visit a periodontist, a dentist who specializes in gum disease.
Tips to Manage Gum Disease
To keep it at bay, you should:
- Brush with fluoride toothpaste twice a day.
- Clean between the teeth, with floss or another cleaning tool.
- Swish twice daily with antiseptic mouth rinse.
- See your dentist regularly.
It seems like common sense, but so often people underestimate the importance of maintaining their teeth and gums. Oral health is often overlooked, especially if there is no pain involved. But as is so often the case a little prevention can prevent a lot of trouble later. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms or have any concerns about your oral health, contact your dental professional.
As always, if you have any questions or need more information, we would be happy to help. Contact our office at http://www.brunnerprastdental.com.
Yours in Good Dental Health:)
Brunner Prast Family Dental
***The above information is for informational purposes only and not intended to diagnose or treat any condition or disease. If you have any concerns please contact a dental professional.
Hello Friends!
You’ve probably heard that it’s not normal for your gums to bleed. Or that you should brush and floss at least twice a day. And rinse with a fluoride mouthwash. And see your dentist for a professional cleaning and exam every six months. And stay away from sugary foods and beverages. And avoid highly acidic foods. The list goes on and on! But life is busy! You’re rushing out the door in the morning and often fall into bed exhausted at night. Like so many other things that are good for our health, it can become easy to fall into the “I’ll do it tomorrow” trap. But, much like other aspects of our health, dental neglect will begin to show warning signs. Often one of the first is bleeding gums. If your toothbrush bristles are always pink when you brush or the water you spit into the sink afterwards is tinged with blood, that’s probably an indicator of mild gum disease or gingivitis. Your gums bleed because they are swollen, inflamed and irritated by the bacteria that has hardened into plaque. Left untreated, gingivitis can progress into periodontal disease.
Aside from the obvious negative oral side effects (bad breath, cavities, tooth and bone loss) of periodontal disease, there have been numerous studies linking periodontal disease to overall health problems. According to the ADA, the harmful bacteria that is in your mouth can travel to other parts of your body and has been linked to the increased risk of heart disease, diabetes and stroke.
The only way to truly maintain good oral health is to brush and floss your teeth regularly and see your dental professional every six – twelve months. Like most things, catching problems early is the best way to avoid more serious problems and potentially more expensive treatment later.
So as hard as it may be to add more things to your ever-growing “to-do” list, it is so important to take care of yourself and make time to brush and floss!
Yours in good dental health
Your friends at
Brunner Prast Family Dental
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