|
Home
Back to Articles
Centennial West
Rouge Dentistry
Port Union and Lawson rd
|
Periodontal
Disease
Gum Disease Can Often Go Unnoticed
- Until It's Too Late
While you may not think periodontal disease affects you, 75 per cent of
adults over 35 show signs and symptoms. In fact, periodontal disease is the
leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Why? Because it occurs at an age when
cavities are usually a thing of the past, and the initial symptoms often go
unnoticed.
Recent studies have also shown a possible link between periodontal disease and
heart disease. One theory in support of this is that the bacteria that cause
periodontal disease enter the bloodstream and promote blood clots and narrowing
of the arteries that cause heart attacks. It has also been shown that if a woman
develops severe periodontal disease during pregnancy, she is more likely to give
birth to a low birth weight infant. Research is now linking periodontal disease
to many other health problems, as well.
The following questions and answers will inform you about this often unseen
problem.
What is periodontal disease? What causes it?
Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is a bacterial infection of
the gums, ligaments and bone that support the teeth and
anchor them in the jaw. The bacteria, which act mainly on
certain carbohydrates in our diets, are normal inhabitants of
the mouth, living in a thin film called plaque. If the plaque is
left undisturbed, it may eventually harden into tartar, a hard
mineral shell. When plaque builds on the tartar surface, it
irritates and erodes healthy gum tissue. This early stage of periodontal disease
is called gingivitis. If left untreated, pockets begin to form between the teeth and gum tissues. When
the supporting bone becomes badly eroded, tooth loss can
result. This stage is called periodontitis.
What are the symptoms of periodontal disease?
Because gum disease is painless until the final stages, it
often goes unnoticed. However, there are many indications
of potential periodontal disease. Here is what to watch for:
· Gums that bleed when you brush your teeth;
· Red swollen or tender gums;
· Gums that have pulled away from your teeth;
· A metallic taste or persistent bad breath;
· Pus or discharge between your teeth and gums;
· Loose or separating teeth;
· A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite;
· A change in the fit of partial.
Contact your If dentist If you notice any Of these symptoms.
If I have no symptoms, how do I know if I
have gum disease?
Periodontal disease can he easily detected by your general dentist or a
periodontist (a specialist in periodontal diseases) during regular dental
examinations. Therefore, regular check-ups, ideally every six months for most
people, are crucial in catching periodontal disease in its early reversible
stages.
During your checkup, the color and firmness of your gums will be evaluated.
Your teeth will be tested for tightness, and the way they fit together when you
bite. During your periodontal examination, a small measuring instrument is
painlessly inserted between the tooth and the gum to measure the depth of the
pockets. X-rays may be taken to evaluate the bone supporting the teeth.
What other factors can contribute to gum
disease?
Smoking is a major risk factor to your oral health. Not only
do the chemicals in tobacco have a harmful effect on your
oral tissues, but can deplete Vitamin C and other nutrients
and reduce your resistance to periodontal disease.
A poor diet is also a contributing factor, especially a diet
high in sugars and other sticky or gummy carbohydrates
and low in the minerals and vitamins needed for healthy
gums, teeth and bones.
Hormone changes during pregnancy increase the blood
supply to certain tissues in the body including the gums. As a
result, 30 to 60 per cent of pregnant women experience red,
tender or bleeding gums. Pre-existing gum disease, even in
the early stages, can make these symptoms more severe. Older
women and those with osteoporosis are also at greater risk.
Stress can also be a contributing factor because it diminishes your body's
ability' to fight infections. Diabetes, AIDS
and Other conditions can lower resistance to gum disease.
How can I prevent periodontal disease?
· Brushing your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled tooth brush. Hold the
brush at a 45-degree angle to the gum line and gently clean where the gums meet
your teeth.
· Clean between your teeth at least once a day with dental
floss (or other interdental cleaners, such as rubber tips
and oral irrigators, as recommended by your dentist) to remove bacteria,
plaque and food particles your tooth brush can't reach.
· Eat a balanced diet, which includes a variety from each of the basic
food groups, to maintain optimum oral health. · Visit your dentist regularly,
ideally every six months, for a preventive check-up and professional cleaning
which is essential in the prevention of gum disease and the maintenance of
good oral health.
What can I do if I already have periodontal
disease?
See your dentist. In the early stages of gum disease, treatment
usually includes removing the plaque and calculus in the pockets around the
tooth and smoothing the root surfaces.
This is called scaling and root planing. In combination with
proper daily home care, this is all that is usually, required to
stop the development of the disease. If you wait until the
symptoms are more advanced, a referral to the periodontist
may he necessary, and in some cases, surgical treatment.
Don't wait until it hurts. Periodontal disease can be prevented with regular dental visits.
|
Dr. Joseph Tabri
449 Lawson Rd.
Scarborough, Ontario,
M1C 2K2
Canada
joseph@drtabri.com
(416) 282-5213
Map our
location |
