What Is periodontal disease (gum disease)?

Gum disease is an infections of the surrounding and supporting tissues of the teeth. It causes major tooth loss among adults. Gum disease is usually painless, but you may now know that you have it.

Plaque causes periodontal disease. Plaque is a sticky layer of bacteria that constantly forms on the teeth. Plaque creates toxins that damage your gums.

Gingivitis is the early stage of periodontal disease. Your gums may become red and swollen and may even bleed easily. In the phase of gingivitis, the disease is reversible and can be eliminated by brushing and flossing daily.

During the more advanced stages, periodontis, the gums and bone support the teeth and become damaged severely. Tooth could become loose and fall out. Many times, it is removed by a dentist.

What are the signs of periodontal (gum) disease?

If you notice any of the following signs of periodontal (gum) disease, see your dentist immediately:

• gums that bleed when you brush your teeth
• red, swollen or tender gums
• ums that have pulled away from the teeth
• bad breath that doesn't go away
• pus between your teeth and gums
• loose teeth
• a change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
• a change in the fit of partial dentures.

Are there ways to prevent periodontal disease?

Anyone can prevent gum disease by keeping care of your teeth everyday and having regular checkups every six months. Keep your gums healthy in the following ways:

Brush your teeth well twice a day.

This removes the film of bacteria from the teeth. Be sure to use a soft-bristled toothbrush that is in good condition. Toothpastes and mouth rinses containing fluoride strengthen the teeth and help prevent decay. Choose products that bear the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance, your assurance that they have met the ADA's standards for safety and effectiveness. The ADA reviews all advertising claims for any product bearing the Seal. The Seal on a product is an assurance for consumers and dentists against misleading or untrue statements concerning a product's safety and effectiveness.

Clean between your teeth every day.

Cleaning between your teeth with floss or interdental cleaners removes bacteria and food particles from between the teeth, where a toothbrush can't reach. Early periodontal (gum) disease can often be reversed by daily brushing and flossing. If you use interdental cleaners, ask your dentist how to use them properly, to avoid injuring your gums.

Eat a balanced diet.

Choose a variety of foods from the basic food groups, such as breads, cereals and other grain products; fruits; vegetables; meat, poultry and fish; and dairy products, such as milk, cheese and yogurt. Limit between-meal snacks.

Visit your dentist regularly.

It is important to have regular dental checkups, and professional cleaning is essential to prevent periodontal diseases.

First of all, the word periodontal means "around the tooth." Periodontal diseases are serious bacterial infections, which in fact destroy attachment fibers and supporting bone holding teeth in your mouth. If it is left untreated, the diseases an lead to the loss of teeth. Gingivitis, aggressive periodontitis, chronic periodontitis are all forms of periodontal disease.

Who is a periodontist?

A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease and in the placement of dental implants. Periodontists receive extensive training in these areas, including three additional years of education beyond dental school. Periodontists are familiar with the latest techniques for diagnosing and treating periodontal disease. In addition, they can perform cosmetic periodontal procedures to help you achieve the smile you desire. Often, dentists refer their patients to a periodontist when their periodontal disease is advanced. However, you don't need a referral to see a periodontist. In fact, there are occasions when you may choose to go directly to a periodontist or to refer a family member or friend to your own periodontist.

What is the most important reason to brush?

Daily brushing and flossing will keep the formation of plaque to a minimum. If not removed every 26 hours, plaque can turn into calculus, which can lead to periodontal diseases.

Is it normal for my gums to bleed when I brush my teeth?

Bleeding gums are one of the signs of gum disease. Think of gum tissue as the skin on your hand. If your hands bled every time you washed them, you would know something was wrong. There are a number of other warning signs of gum disease.

What kinds of oral care products should I use?

Here are some guidelines for choosing dental care products and what works for most patients most of the time. To find out what is best for your particular needs, talk to your periodontist.

• Begin with the right equipment a soft bristled toothbrush that allows you to reach every surface of each tooth. If the bristles on your toothbrush are bent or frayed, buy a new one. A worn-out brush will not clean your teeth properly.
• In addition to manual toothbrushes, your choices include automatic toothbrushes and "high tech" electronic toothbrushes. These are safe and effective for the majority of patients.
• Oral irrigators (water spraying devices) will not remove plaque from your teeth unless used in conjunction with brushing and flossing.
• Another aid is the rubber tip, often found on the handle end of a toothbrush used to massage the gums after brushing and flossing.
• Other options include interproximal toothbrushes (tiny brushes that clean plaque between teeth) and interdental cleaners (small sticks or picks that remove plaque between teeth). If used improperly, these dental aids can injure the gums, so it is important to discuss proper use with your periodontist.

What causes tooth loss?

Together, periodontal disease and cavities are the primary cause of tooth loss.

What causes bad breath?

There are many factors that contribute to bad breath. For example, certain kinds of bacteria in the mouth produce volatile sulfur compounds. If these sulfur compounds build up enough, the result can be clinical bad breath, reports the American Dental Association. In addition to brushing and flossing, brushing the tongue (where sulfur resides) can help eliminate bad breath.

Other factors that contribute to bad breath include the following:

• Certain foods, such as garlic and onions. Once the food is absorbed into the bloodstream, it is transferred to the lungs, where it is expelled.
• Not brushing and flossing daily leaves particles of food in the mouth, which can collect bacteria.
• Dry mouth (xerostomia). Saliva is necessary to cleanse the mouth and remove particles that may cause odor.
• Tobacco use.

Does stress cause problems in the mouth?

High levels of financial stress and poor coping abilities increase the likelihood of developing periodontitis. Researchers found people who dealt with financial strain in a n active and practical way (problem-focused) rather than with avoidance techniques (emotion-focused) had no more risk of severe periodontal disease than those without money problems.

Could my periodontal disease be genetic?

Research proves that up to 30% of the population may be genetically susceptible to gum disease. Despite aggressive oral care habits, these people may be six times more likely to develop periodontal disease. Identifying these people with a genetic test before they even show signs of the disease and getting them into early interventive treatment may help them keep their teeth for a lifetime.

Does oral health affect overall health?

When the gums are infected, periodontal bacteria byproducts can enter the blood stream and travel to major organs and set off other problems. Research suggests this may: contribute to the development of heart disease, the nations leading cause of death; increase the risk of stroke; increase a woman's risk of having a preterm, low birth weight baby; and pose a serious threat to people whose health is compromised by diabetes, respiratory disease or osteoporosis.

Can I pass my periodontal disease to others?

Periodontal disease may be passed from parents to children and between couples, according to an article in the September 1997 issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association. Researchers suggest that bacteria causing periodontal disease are passed though saliva. This means that when a family or couple come into contact with each other's saliva, they're at risk for contracting the periodontal disease of another family member. Based on this research, the American Academy of Periodontology recognizes that treatment of gum disease may involve entire families. If one family member has periodontal disease, the AAP recommends that all family members see a dental professional for a periodontal disease screening.

Is there a relationship between tobacco use and periodontal disease?

Studies have shown that tobacco use may be one of the most significant risk factors in the development and progression of periodontal disease. Smokers are much more likely than non-smokers to have calculus form on their teeth, have deeper pockets between the teeth and gums and lose more of the bone and tissue that support the teeth.

What is the relationship between periodontal disease and respiratory disease?

More research is needed to confirm how periodontal disease may put people at increased risk for respiratory disease. What we do know is that mouth infections like periodontal disease are associated with increased risk of respiratory infection. An analysis of research has revealed that periodontal (gum) disease may be a far more serious threat to your health than previously realized.

Can periodontal disease increase my risk for having a premature baby?

Pregnant women who have periodontal disease may be seven times more likely to have a baby that is born too early and too small. More research is needed to confirm how periodontal disease may affect pregnancy outcomes. What we do know is that periodontal disease is an infection and all infections are cause for concern during pregnancy because they pose a risk to the health of the baby. If you are thinking about becoming pregnant, be sure to include an evaluation with a periodontist as part of your prenatal care.

How does periodontal disease increase my risk for heart disease?

Several theories exist to explain the link between periodontal disease and heart disease. One theory is that oral bacteria can affect the heart when they enter the bloodstream, attaching to fatty plaques in the coronary arteries (heart blood vessels) and contributing to clot formation. Coronary artery disease is characterized by a thickening of the walls of the coronary arteries due to the buildup of fatty proteins. Blood clots can obstruct normal blood flow, restricting the amount of nutrients and oxygen required for the heart to function properly. This may lead to heart attacks. Researchers have found that people with periodontal disease are almost twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease as those without periodontal disease.

Is there a relationship between periodontal disease and diabetes?

For many years we have known that diabetic people are more likely to develop periodontal disease than people without diabetes. Not so long ago, there has been research that has showed a relationship going both ways. For diabetics, having periodontal disease may make it harder to control their blood sugar. We do know that severe periodontal disease can increase blood sugar, causing a higher risk for complications. See a periodontist for evaluation if you have diabetes.