February is the month of chocolates, roses, and… gum disease awareness! Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is an infection in the tissues and bone that support your teeth.
Did you know that 85% of US adults suffer from some degree of gum disease? It is one of the most common diseases in America – more common than cancer, diabetes, arthritis, or heart disease.
Unfortunately, only about 60% of those infected even know they have gum disease. And worse yet, only 3% of adults with moderate to severe levels of gum disease are undergoing treatment.
GINGIVITIS
An excess of plaque and tartar in your mouth can cause cavities, but it can also lead to a bacterial infection in your gum tissue, known as gingivitis. This is the first stage of gum disease. Your body will try to fight this infection by sending white blood cells to the area to destroy the bacteria. This inflammation causes the tissue to bleed easily when you brush or floss. Like any infection, leaving it untreated allows it to get stronger and more destructive.
PERIODONTITIS
If left untreated, gingivitis can lead to periodontitis. With periodontitis, the plaque deposits and bacteria move down below your gum line. This condition causes your gums to separate slightly from the teeth, forming periodontal pockets. The infection and the pockets may continue to worsen, eating away at the jawbone until your teeth loosen and may even fall out.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF GUM DISEASE
Painful chewing
Sensitive teeth or gums
Red, swollen, or tender gums that bleed easily
Gap between teeth and gums
Bad breath and halitosis
Pus discharge from the gums
Loose or shifting teeth
Receding gums or longer appearing teeth
Changes in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
Or no symptoms at all…
GUM DISEASE RISK FACTORS
The number one cause of gum disease is poor dental hygiene. Failing to brush and floss twice each day can allow plaque to build up and inflame the gingiva, or the gum around the base of your teeth.
Poor Oral Hygiene
Diet: Eating sugars and other foods that increase the acidity in the mouth increase bacterial counts.
Tooth Abnormalities: Teeth with cracks and crevices can trap food and encourage plaque and bacteria growth.
Poor Dental Work: Poorly contoured fillings or crowns provide traps for debris and plaque increasing your risk.
Wisdom Teeth: Wisdom teeth that have broken through the gum, as well as those that are impacted (buried) can be a major breeding ground for the bacteria. Gum disease can be present without any signs or symptoms.
Teeth Grinding: Grinding teeth or having a bite that isn’t aligned can cause irritation and invisible swelling of the tiny ligaments around the teeth, also leading to dental infections.
Age: You are at risk for gum disease throughout your life.
Children: Chronic gingivitis is common in children. It usually causes gum tissue to swell, turn red and bleed easily.
Adolescents: During puberty, an increased level of hormones cause increased blood circulation to the gums. This may cause increased gum sensitivity and lead to a greater reaction to any irritation, including food particles and plaque.
Adults: 3.6% of adults between the ages of 18 - 34 have gum disease. As people age, the risk for gum disease increases. In a study of people over 70 years old, 86% had at least moderate periodontitis and over a quarter of them had lost their teeth.
Gender: Female Hormones can contribute to your risk of gum disease.
Puberty & Menstruation: An increased level of sex hormones causes higher blood circulation to the gums, increasing the gum's sensitivity, susceptibility to irritation, and the growth of bacteria just beneath the gums. These same hormones can cause menstruation gingivitis – red, swollen, tender or bleeding gums, and sores on the inside of the cheek – which typically occurs right before a woman's period and clears up once it has started.
Pregnancy: Hormonal changes during pregnancy can exacerbate existing gingivitis, which typically worsens around the second month and reaches a peak in the eighth month.
Menopause: Estrogen deficiency after menopause reduces bone mineral density, which can lead to bone loss. Bone loss is associated both with gum disease and osteoporosis. During menopause, some women may also develop a rare condition called menopausal gingivostomatitis, in which the gums are dry, shiny, and bleed easily. Women may also experience abnormal tastes and sensations (such as salty, spicy, acidic, burning) in the mouth.
Family History: Gum disease often occurs in members of the same family.
Genetics: Up to 30% of Americans are genetically susceptible to gum disease.
Closeness: Gum disease can be contagious. They infect others through saliva which can be passed through kissing, toothbrushes, eating utensils, straws or anything that touches saliva.
Household Income: Gum disease appears in greater numbers among the poor. In particular, gum disease affects poor children and elderly people as well as racial minorities. Those with fewer financial resources for dental visits show the greatest amounts of oral bacteria.
Medication: Certain medications or medical treatments, such as chemotherapy, can have a side effect of gum disease.
Other Diseases: Studies have shown systemic diseases have been linked to gum disease, such as diabetes, osteoporosis, cancer, heart disease and stroke. Also, diseases which decrease your immunity, like HIV/AIDS, leukemia, multiple sclerosis, or rheumatoid arthritis, have also been known to increase your risk of gum disease.
SHOULD I BE CONCERNED ABOUT GUM DISEASE?
Gingivitis may not seem serious, but if left untreated, it can quickly progress to periodontitis. This can lead to painful toothaches, permanent damage to your gums, and even tooth loss. Additionally, medical experts believe there may be a connection between gum disease and other serious health conditions like diabetes, respiratory infections, and even heart disease. In fact, some studies have shown that gum disease can increase a person’s risk of heart disease by up to 20%, although more research is needed.
CAN I FIX MY GUM DISEASE?
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of gum disease listed above, you may need to seek professional treatment from your dentist. But don’t worry - gum disease is treatable! Your dentist will use specialized tools and techniques to eliminate the infection from your gums. A deep cleaning, also known as scaling and root planing, will clean out the bacteria from the pockets between your teeth and gums, then smooth out the tooth roots to discourage reinfection.
Most importantly, you can prevent an infection from developing in the first place by brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash every day. Commit to great oral hygiene and protect yourself from gum disease this February - and every month!
Need to schedule an appointment? Contact us at (830) 629-8011 or request a callback from a member of our team HERE.
