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Periodontal Disease

Preventing Gum Disease

Adults over the age of 35 lose more teeth to gum diseases than from cavities. Three out of four adults are affected at some time in their life. The best way to prevent cavities and Periodontal Diseases is by daily thorough tooth brushing and flossing techniques and regular professional examinations and cleanings. Unfortunately, even with the most diligent home dental care, people still can develop some form of periodontal disease. Once this disease starts, professional intervention is necessary to prevent its progression.

Other important factors affecting the health of your gums include:

  • Tobacco usage
  • Diabetes 
  • Stress 
  • Clenching and grinding teeth 
  • Medications 
  • Poor nutrition 

 

Periodontal Disease & Tobacco

You are probably familiar with the links between tobacco use and lung disease, cancer, and heart disease.  Until now, you may not have realized the connection between tobacco use and periodontal disease.

Current studies have linked periodontal disease with tobacco usage.  As compared to non-smokers, smokers almost always seem to demonstrate more severe forms of disease and are less responsive to efforts aimed at treating the disease.  Smokers have a greater incidence of calculus formation on their teeth, display deeper pockets between gums and teeth and are noted to have a greater loss of the bone critical to the support of teeth.  In addition, a higher incidence of oral cancer is noted in users of smokeless tobacco.

Chemicals in tobacco such as nicotine and tar slow down healing and the predictability of success following periodontal treatment.

Oral problems caused by tobacco include:

  • Cancer, mouth sores, gum recession, loss of bone and teeth, bad breath, tooth staining,  rapid tartar formation, compromised oral hygiene, impaired response to periodontal treatment and failure of dental implants to heal properly.
  • Quitting tobacco will reduce the chance of developing the above problems.  We are devoted to helping you quit this dangerous habit and will utilize all our resources to help you do so.

Diabetes & Oral Health

Individuals suffering from diabetes, especially uncontrolled diabetics, have a higher risk of developing bacterial infections of the mouth. These infections may impair your ability to process insulin, resulting in greater difficulty in controlling your diabetes. When well controlled, however, diabetics can maintain good oral health.  If you are a diabetic, it is essential that you inform your doctor and that efforts are made to optimize the control of your disease.  By maintaining a healthy blood sugar level, you can help resist periodontal infections. 

Additional steps that can help control periodontal disease include: daily brushing and flossing to remove plaque from your teeth and gums, regular dental visits for professional cleaning, and regular periodontal evaluations.  Early identification of problems with timely treatment is an essential part of optimizing your oral health.

 Women & Periodontal Health

Throughout a woman’s life, hormonal changes affect tissue throughout the body.
Fluctuations in levels occur during puberty, pregnancy and menopause.  At these times, the chance of periodontal disease may increase, requiring special care of your oral health.

Puberty

During puberty, there is increased production of sex hormones.  These higher levels increase gum sensitivity and lead to greater irritations from plaque and food particles. The gums can become swollen, turn red, and feel tender. 

Menstruation

Similar symptoms occasionally appear several days before menstruation.  There can be bleeding of the gums, bright red swelling between the teeth and gum, or sores on the inside of the cheek.  The symptoms clear up once the period has started. As the amount of sex hormones decrease, so do these problems.

Pregnancy

Your gums and teeth are also affected during pregnancy.  Between the second and eighth month, your gums may also swell, bleed, and become red or tender.  Large lumps may appear as a reaction to local irritants.  However, these growths are generally painless and not cancerous.  They may require professional removal, but usually disappear after pregnancy.

Periodontal health should be part of your prenatal care.  Any infections during pregnancy, including periodontal infections, can place a baby’s health at risk.

The best way to prevent periodontic infections is to begin with healthy gums and continue to maintain your oral health with proper home care and careful periodontic monitoring.

Oral Contraceptives

Swelling, bleeding, and tenderness of the gums may also occur when you are taking oral contraceptives, which are synthetic hormones.

You must mention any prescriptions you are taking, including oral contraceptives, prior to medical or dental treatment.  This will help eliminate the risk of drug interactions, such as antibiotics with oral contraceptives – where the effectiveness of the contraceptive can be lessened. 

Menopause

Changes in the look and feel of your mouth may occur if you are menopausal or post-menopausal.  They include feeling pain and burning in your gum tissue and salty, peppery, or sour tastes.

Careful oral hygiene at home and professional cleaning may relieve these symptoms. There are also saliva substitutes to treat the effects of dry mouth.”