Gum Disease (Peridontal Disease) Treatment

When people think about poor oral hygiene, problems like decaying teeth, bad gums and offensive breath typically come to mind. But experts say an unhealthy, bacteria-filled mouth can also lead to a host of problems throughout the body, such as heart disease, diabetes, blood infection and even low birth-weight babies.

And the culprit, more often than not, is gum disease.

What is Gum Disease? It is a bacterial infection of the tissues and bones that surround and support the teeth. It’s also called periodontal disease.

Gingivitis is mild gum disease that only affects the gingiva, or gums, the tissue surrounding the teeth. Gum disease that progresses and spreads below the gum line to damage the tooth-supporting tissues and bone is called periodontitis. Gingivitis causes red, swollen gums that bleed easily when brushed. Because gingivitis usually doesn’t cause pain, many people don’t get the treatment they need.

Periodontitis develops if gum disease progresses. The gums pull away from the teeth, leaving deep pockets where bacteria can grow and damage the bone that supports the teeth. Gums can also shrink back, or recede. This can make the teeth look longer. Teeth may become loose, fall out, or have to be removed. It is not only the cosmetic effect of losing the teeth. It shows the underlying serious problem.

Gum disease is suspected of contributing to ailments through the bloodstream. Bacteria from the mouth flood into the circulatory system and travel to other parts of the body, causing widespread inflammation. Another possibility is that oral infections trigger the immune system, producing inflammation elsewhere in the body. If you had an infection in your finger and you left it, it eventually would affect the rest of the body; it’s the same with your mouth.

Recent studies have shown an increased risk of heart disease and stroke in people with gum infections, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The risk appears to increase with the severity of the infection. Gum disease produces a tremendous amount of bacteria, if a patient has heart valve problem, the bacteria can invade and infect the heart.

There also appears to be a link between gum infections and diabetes, as people with diabetes are more likely to have periodontal disease, according to the CDC. Researchers are now looking into whether there’s a two-way connection between the conditions to see if diabetes can be better controlled through treatment of gum disease.

Blood infection from gum disease can even cause joint replacements to fail by aiding the body’s efforts to reject the artificial implant. Some researchers have found that women with moderate-to-serious gum disease are twice as likely to give birth to premature babies. Problems ranging from low birth-weight to birth defects can result.

Regular and thorough brushing and flossing is the first line of defense against gum disease. Click here to know more about better brushing and flossing techniques. A good diet that avoids sugary snacks and sodas is another. People should limit the number of snacks eaten throughout the day, according to the CDC. They should also keep in mind that the recommended five-a-day helpings of fiber-rich fruits and vegetables have oral health benefits as well, stimulating salivary flow to aid remineralization of tooth surfaces with early stages of tooth decay.

Parents should take care not to share drinks with their children, particularly if the adults have gum disease. Even an act as simple as blowing on food to cool it can pass oral bacteria from parent to child. It’s a bug thing, and the bugs can be transmitted from caregiver to child.

People also should make sure they drink fluoridated water and use a fluoride toothpaste — something to reconsider in these days of bottled water. “Lots of people today are drinking bottled water, and they’re removing one of the best sources they have for preventing tooth decay and they don’t even realize it,” a scientist mentioned in the research journal.

You should also avoid tobacco — smokers have seven times the risk of developing gum disease than non-smokers — and limit alcohol intake.

Finally, visit the dentist regularly. Check-ups can provide early detection of oral problems, and lead to treatments that can prevent further damage.

Update on Jan 21, 2007:

A report from Harvard researchers earlier this month found a surprising but powerful link between poor gum health and one of the deadliest diseases, pancreatic cancer. The study is the latest in a series of reports showing that the health of your mouth, teeth and gums may have a powerful impact on your overall health. Gum disease is linked with heart disease, stroke, diabetes and pregnancy problems.

A person suffering from gum disease has a mouth teeming with Porphyromonas gingivalis and other bacteria found in plaque, the sticky film that forms on teeth. These bacteria not only cause gums to become inflamed, but they can also invade other parts of the body, including cells in coronary arteries. It’s estimated that at least 35% of adults have some form of gum disease and about one-third of those have a moderate to severe form. Brushing and flossing regularly can help prevent gum disease but not always. About one-third of the population may have a genetic predisposition to the problem. Gum disease is also linked with smoking and tobacco use. Certain medications, including oral contraceptives, antidepressants and heart medicines, can also affect oral health.

Some early research suggests that treating gum disease may lower risk for heart and other problems associated with poor oral health. A Boston University pilot study of six patients with gum disease showed that treatment for gum diseases lowered certain inflammatory markers in the body and improved the function of the endothelium, the lining of the arteries that produces chemicals related to blood flow. The American Academy of Periodontology offers a tool to help you gauge your personal risk for gum disease at www.perio.org/consumer/4a.html