Hygiene Consultants Stresses Facts about Gum Disease

Gum care is an important factor in oral and overall health. Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease is an inflammatory condition affecting the tissues surrounding a tooth. Did you know that periodontal disease is the # 1 cause of tooth loss among American adults? Gum disease is caused by the bacteria in plaque, the sticky colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth. If not removed through daily brushing and flossing, plaque can build up and lead to the infection of your gums and teeth. Eventually if plaque build-up progresses, it can affect the gum tissue and bone that support the teeth, leading to tooth loss. Recent research shows a link between patients who have gum disease and those who suffer from strokes, heart attacks, or complications with diabetes or pregnancy. Gum disease is silent in that early symptoms may be painless and mild, like swollen gums or bleeding while brushing. If you have been told you have periodontal (gum) disease, you’re not alone states Hygiene Consultants.

Cause and Effect of Gum Disease

Several factors contribute to periodontal disease: plaque buildup, heredity, and lifestyle choices. By far, the most common and controllable factor is bacterial plaque, the sticky, colorless film produced by normal oral bacteria. Bacteria release toxins that break down the natural fibers that bond gums to teeth. When this occurs, pockets between the gums and teeth form, and more bacteria and toxins hide, flourish, and destroy your gums and teeth explains Hygiene Consultants. Over time, this process can affect not only gums, teeth, and bone within the mouth, but also overall health. Bacteria in your mouth will be inadvertently ingested, and this can compromise your whole-body health. Gingivitis is the mildest form of periodontal disease. It causes the gums to become red, swollen, and bleed easily. There is usually little or no discomfort at this stage. Gingivitis is often caused by inadequate oral hygiene. Gingivitis is reversible with professional treatment and good oral home care.

Treatable Solutions for Gum Disease

Depending on the stage of your gum disease will dictate the level of treatment necessary. In order to determine the best options for your personal needs, your dentist or dental hygienist will first need to perform an extensive evaluation of your gums to develop a plan. The following are a list of the treatments available to remedy the effects of gum disease: Non-Surgical Treatments- Modern dentistry stresses that periodontal health should be achieved in the least invasive and most cost-effective manner possible. This is often accomplished by non-surgical treatments including scaling and root planing, a cleaning of the root surfaces to remove plaque and tartar from deep periodontal pockets and to smooth the tooth root to remove bacterial toxins, followed by adjunctive therapy such as local delivery antimicrobials and host modulation, as needed on a case-by-case basis. In the event that non-surgical therapy does not achieve the desired results, surgery may be necessary to restore the gums that have been damaged by periodontal disease. The Hygiene Consultants, periodontist, or dental hygienist removes the plaque through a deep-cleaning method called scaling and root planing. Scaling means scraping off the tartar from above and below the gum line says Hygiene Consultants. Root planing gets rid of rough spots on the tooth root where the germs gather, and helps remove bacteria that contribute to the disease. In some cases a laser may be used to remove plaque and tartar. Medications may be used with treatment that includes scaling and root planing, but they cannot always take the place of surgery. Depending on how far the disease has progressed, the Hygiene Consultants or periodontist may still suggest surgical treatment. Long-term studies are needed to find out if using medications reduces the need for surgery and whether they are effective over a long period of time.

What Happens When Untreated

Untreated gingivitis can advance to periodontitis. With time, plaque can spread and grow below the gum line. Toxins produced by the bacteria in plaque irritate the gums. The toxins stimulate a chronic inflammatory response in which the body in essence turns on itself, and the tissues and bone that support the teeth are broken down and destroyed. Gums separate from the teeth, forming pockets (spaces between the teeth and gums) that become infected. As the disease progresses, the pockets deepen and more gum tissue and bone are destroyed. Often, this destructive process has very mild symptoms. Eventually, teeth can become loose and may have to be removed says Hygiene Consultants. There are several theories that exist that attempt to explain the link between periodontal disease and heart disease. One theory suggests that oral bacteria can affect the heart when they enter the blood stream, attaching to fatty plaques in the arteries and contributing to clot formation. Coronary artery disease is caused by the thickening of the walls of the coronary arteries due to the buildup of fatty acids. Blood clots obstruct the normal flow of blood and lead to neglecting the heart of necessary amounts of nutrients and oxygen required to function properly. This can eventually lead to heart attacks. There are other studies that link a relationship between gum disease and stroke. Research has found that a look at the casual relationship between oral disease as a risk factor for stroke shows that people with periodontal disease were more likely to be victims of stroke.