What is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease is an infection of the teeth and gums, as well as the bone that surrounds the teeth. If left untreated, it causes supporting bone to be lost from around the teeth. Periodontal disease is the number-one cause of tooth loss in the United States today. There are three stages to periodontal disease—gingivitis, periodontitis, and advanced periodontitis.
Plaque, a sticky film of food and bacteria, forms constantly on teeth. If it isn't removed daily, it begins to harden and forms tartar (calculus). In this early stage, before bone loss has occurred, the gums become red and swollen; this is gingivitis.
As the plaque and tartar work their way down below the gum line, the gums begin to separate away from the teeth, forming pockets. Once a pocket has formed, the process accelerates, as new, even more destructive types of bacteria begin to populate the pocket. If the tartar isn't removed by dental professionals, your body's defensive reaction to the infection produces enzymes that cause the loss of supporting bone; this is periodontitis.
Over time, if periodontitis continues unchecked, this bone loss continues. Eventually, so much bone is lost that some of the teeth begin to become loose, which will finally result in tooth loss. This is advanced periodontitis.
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What is the Heart Disease Connection?
Did you know that people with gum disease are FOUR times more likely to be afflicted with Heart Disease than people who don't?
That's right. Recent studies at The University of Minnesota confirm that a chronic infection in your mouth (which is what Periodontal Disease is) allows the bacteria to enter your blood stream. These bacteria may cause blood clots and block your arteries, possibly even triggering a heart attack.
Other studies have shown that plaque bacteria entering the bloodstream through infected gums may also cause a potentially fatal heart disease called infective endocarditis. This is a bacterial infection which causes the sac around the heart to become inflamed.
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Respiratory Infections and Periodontal Disease
Scientists have discovered a link between periodontal (gum) disease and respiratory infections. In fact, if you suffer from periodontal disease, you may be breathing bacteria into your lungs every day from the infection in your gums.
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Low Birth Rate Babies
Did you know that mothers with severe periodontal disease are seven times more likely to deliver pre-term, low-birth weight babies?, according to a study of 124 pregnant women conducted at the University of North Carolina and published in 1996 in the Journal of Periodontology. Researchers at the University of North Carolina think this is due to the body's reaction to the bacteria in gums infected with periodontitis. When you have periodontal disease, bacterial toxins attack the bone, ligaments and gums that surround your teeth. You essentially have a large open wound in your mouth that creates a doorway for bacteria to enter your body through your bloodstream.
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Periodontal Care
Your gums enhance the appearance of your teeth and smile, just like a frame graces a beautiful masterpiece. But, when gum disease occurs, it can cause your gums to become red and swollen or recede. In later stages, periodontal disease can eventually destroy the health of your teeth, causing them to loosen, spread or fall out. Periodontal disease is an infection affecting the gums and supporting jawbone around your teeth. Studies have shown that by age 45, more than 80% of Americans have some degree of gum disease, the major cause of tooth loss in adults.
Techniques to treat periodontal disease have become highly sophisticated. They may include non-surgical removal of harmful pocket forming bacterial plaque, antibiotic treatment, regenerative therapy or conventional surgical procedures, as well as dental implants. Treatment is carefully selected to match your specific needs. All treatment that is recommended will be performed with the greatest attention to detail, with minimal discomfort in the most modern setting. We take great pride in our services, our staff and office and want you to feel comfortable and safe with us. For more information, please visit the American Academy of Periodontology website.
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