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Definitions
Periodontal (gum) diseases, including gingivitis and periodontitis, are serious infections that, left untreated,
can lead to tooth loss. The word periodontal literally means
"around the tooth." Periodontal disease is a chronic bacterial
infection that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth..
 Periodontal
disease can affect one tooth or many teeth. It begins when the bacteria in
plaque (the sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth)
causes the gums to become inflamed.
In the mildest form of the disease,
gingivitis, the gums redden, swell and bleed easily. There is usually
little or no discomfort. Gingivitis is often caused by inadequate oral
hygiene. Gingivitis is reversible with professional treatment and good
oral home care.
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.
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- Causes of Periodontal
Disease
- The main cause of periodontal disease is
bacterial plaque, a sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on
your teeth. However, factors like the following also affect the health
of your gums.
Smoking/Tobacco Use
As you probably already know, tobacco use is linked with many serious
illnesses such as cancer, lung disease and heart disease, as well as
numerous other health problems. What you may not know is that tobacco
users also are at increased risk for periodontal disease. In fact,
recent studies have shown that tobacco use may be one of the most
significant risk factors in the development and progression of
periodontal disease.
Genetics
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 interceptive
treatment may help them keep their teeth for a lifetime.
Pregnancy and Puberty
As a woman, you know that your health needs are unique. You know that
brushing and flossing daily, a healthy diet, and regular exercise are
all important to help you stay in shape. You also know that at
specific times in your life, you need to take extra care of yourself.
Times when you mature and change, for example, puberty or menopause,
and times when you have special health needs, such as menstruation or
pregnancy. During these particular times, your body experiences
hormonal changes. These changes can affect many of the tissues in your
body, including your gums. Your gums can become sensitive, and at
times react strongly to the hormonal fluctuations. This may make you
more susceptible to gum disease. Additionally, recent studies suggest
that pregnant women with gum disease are seven times more likely to
deliver preterm, low birth weight babies.
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Stress
As you probably already know, stress is linked to many serious
conditions such as hypertension, cancer, and numerous other health
problems. What you may not know is that stress also is a risk factor
for periodontal disease. Research demonstrates that stress can make it
more difficult for the body to fight off infection, including
periodontal diseases.
Medications
Some drugs, such as oral contraceptives, anti-depressants, and certain
heart medicines, can affect your oral health. Just as you notify your
pharmacist and other health care providers of all medicines you are
taking and any changes in your overall health, you should also inform
your dental care provider.
Clenching or Grinding Your Teeth
Has anyone ever told you that you grind your teeth at night? Is your
jaw sore from clenching your teeth when you're taking a test or
solving a problem at work? Clenching or grinding your teeth can put
excess force on the supporting tissues of the teeth and could speed up
the rate at which these periodontal tissues are destroyed.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a disease that causes altered levels of sugar in the
blood. Diabetes develops from either a deficiency in insulin
production (a hormone that is the key component in the body's ability
to use blood sugars) or the body's inability to use insulin correctly.
According to the American Diabetes Association, approximately 16
million Americans have diabetes; however, more than half have not been
diagnosed with this disease. If you are diabetic, you are at higher
risk for developing infections, including periodontal diseases. These
infections can impair the ability to process and/or utilize insulin,
which may cause your diabetes to be more difficult to control and your
infection to be more severe than a non-diabetic.
Poor Nutrition
As you may already know, a diet low in important nutrients can
compromise the body's immune system and make it harder for the body to
fight off infection. Because periodontal disease is a serious
infection, poor nutrition can worsen the condition of your gums.
Other Systemic Diseases
Diseases that interfere with the body's immune system may worsen the
condition of the gums.
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- Types of Periodontal
Disease
- There are many forms of periodontal
disease. The most common ones include the following.
Gingivitis
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 reversible with
professional treatment and good at home oral care.
Mild Periodontitis
If gingivitis, the mildest form of periodontal disease, is left
untreated, it can advance to periodontitis. In the mild stage,
periodontal diseases begin to destroy the bone and tissue that support
the teeth.
Moderate to Advanced Periodontitis
Moderate to advanced periodontitis develops if earlier forms of the
disease like gingivitis and mild periodontitis are left untreated.
This is the most advanced form of the disease in which extensive bone
and tissue loss occurs.
Juvenile Periodontitis
Localized juvenile periodontitis (LJP) occurs in adolescents and is
characterized by the rapid loss of bone around permanent teeth.
Ironically, youngsters with LJP form very little dental plaque or
tartar. Generalized juvenile periodontitis is often considered a
disease of young adults, although it can begin around puberty. It is
characterized by marked inflammation and heavy accumulations of plaque
and calculus. Pockets can form around the affected teeth, filling with
infection. If not treated early, infection can lead to bone loss which
may cause the teeth to become loose.
- Treatment of
Periodontal Disease
- If you're diagnosed with periodontal
disease, your periodontist may recommend periodontal surgery.
Periodontal surgery is necessary when your periodontist determines
that the tissue around your teeth is unhealthy and cannot be repaired
with non-surgical treatment. Following are the four types of surgical
treatments most commonly prescribed:
If you've already lost a tooth to
periodontal disease, you may be interested in dental implants --the
permanent tooth replacement option.
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- The Mouth/Body
Connection
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- In July of 1998, the American
Academy of Periodontology launched an effort to educate the public
about new findings which support what dental professionals had
long suspected: Infections in the mouth can play havoc elsewhere
in the body.
Since July of 1998, evidence has
continued to mount to support these links. While more research needs
to be done to say definitively that people with periodontal disease
are at higher risk for developing heart disease, stroke,
uncontrolled diabetes, preterm births and respiratory disease,
periodontists do know that periodontal disease is a bacterial
infection, and all infections are cause for concern.
Periodontal bacteria can enter the
blood stream and travel to major organs and begin new infections.
Research is suggesting that this may:
- Contribute to the development of heart
disease, the nation's leading cause of death.
- Increase the risk of stroke.
- Increase a woman's risk of having
a preterm, low birth weight baby.
- Pose a serious threat to people
whose health is compromised by diabetes, respiratory
diseases, or osteoporosis.
Don't Ignore Your
Oral Health
If you value your oral as well as
your overall health, a periodontal evaluation is a good
idea. Sometimes the only way to detect periodontal disease is
through a periodontal evaluation. A periodontal evaluation may be
especially important if you:
- Notice any symptoms of periodontal
disease.
- Have heart disease, diabetes,
respiratory disease or osteoporosis.
- Are thinking of becoming pregnant.
- Have a family member with
periodontal disease. Research suggests that the bacteria that
cause periodontal disease can pass through saliva. This means
the common contact of saliva in families puts children and
couples at risk for contracting the periodontal disease of
another family member.
- Have a sore or irritation in your
mouth that does not get better within two weeks.
- Find
Out More
- Determine if you are at risk for
periodontal disease.
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- Take
a Self-Evaluation Quiz
You may not realize that persistent
swollen, red or bleeding gums, tooth sensitivity, and bad breath
are warning signs of periodontal (gum) disease -- a serious
infection that, left untreated, can lead to tooth loss.
Jot down your answers to the
following questions to find out if you have the symptoms of
periodontal disease.
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- Do you ever have pain in your
mouth?
- Do your gums ever bleed when you
brush your teeth or when you eat hard food?
- Have you noticed any spaces
developing between your teeth?
- Do your gums ever feel swollen
or tender?
- Have you noticed that your gums
are receding (pulling back from your teeth) or your teeth
appear longer than before?
- Do you have persistent bad
breath?
- Have you noticed pus between
your teeth and gums?
- Have you noticed any change in
the way your teeth fit together when you bite?
- Do you ever develop sores in
your mouth?
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