Gum Disease

Gum diseases, also known as periodontal disease, range from simple inflammation of the gum tissue to more serious forms that result in major damage to the soft tissue and bone that support the teeth leading ultimately to loss of teeth.  An estimated 80 percent of American adults currently have some form of gum disease.  Gum disease is caused by bacteria, and the human mouth is full of bacteria.  Bacteria, along with mucus and other particles, form a sticky, colorless plaque on teeth.  Brushing and flossing help get rid of plaque but plaque that is not removed can harden and form tartar that brushing does not clean.  Only a professional cleaning by a dentist or oral hygienist can remove tartar. 

A build-up of plaque and tartar will initially cause gingivitis, a condition identified by irritated, red, and swollen gums that may bleed easily.  When gingivitis is not treated it can advance to “periodontitis”, which means “inflammation around the tooth.”  In periodontitis, gums pull away from the teeth and form pockets that become infected.  As the plaque spreads and grows below the gum line there is a steady break-down of the bone and connective tissue that hold the teeth in place.  If left untreated, the bones, gums, and connective tissue are destroyed and the teeth become loose and have to be removed.

Gum disease in the early stages generally does not hurt.  You can have it for years before feeling discomfort.  Most people don’t experience signs of gum disease until they are in their 30’s or 40’s.  Symptoms are often not noticeable until the disease is advanced and include; bad breath that won’t go away, red or swollen gums, tender or bleeding gums, painful chewing, pus around teeth and gums, sensitive teeth and loose teeth.

Prevention begins with brushing your teeth twice per day and flossing every day.  Routine dental check-ups and professional cleaning are encouraged on a regular basis.

Gum Disease and Links to More Serious Ailments

Recent studies increasingly suggest that gum problems may contribute to heart disease, strokes, diabetes, pneumonia and pre-term labor in pregnant women.  It is suspected that the bacteria present in gum disease can travel throughout the body, where it may settle and cause inflammation that can damage other parts of the body.  Evidence is mounting that suggests people with periodontal disease may be at twice the risk of having a fatal heart attack than patients without periodontal disease.  One possibility is that periodontal bacteria enter the blood through inflamed gums and cause small blood clots that contribute to clogged arteries.  Another possibility is that the inflammation caused by periodontal disease contributes to the build-up of fatty deposits inside heart arteries.  A study in the Archives of Internal Medicine evaluated the relationship between gum disease and C-reactive protein, an inflammatory marker associated with hardening of the arteries.  In the study, 5,000 healthy middle-aged adults received oral exams and those with the most periodontal disease also had the higher levels of C-reactive protein. A study conducted at the University of Minnesota in 1998 found that rabbits injected with tooth plaque developed blood clots which led to heart disease.  Strokes are also closely linked to periodontal disease.  A study from the American Heart Association indicates that men who had fewer than 25 of their own teeth when they started the study were 57% more likely to have a stroke than men who had 25 or more of their original 32 teeth.  Worse, men who were down to between 11 and 16 teeth when the study began had a 74% greater risk of stroke than those with 25 or more.  For people who have diabetes, periodontal disease may make it more difficult to control blood sugar.  Severe periodontal disease can increase blood sugar, contributing to increased periods of time when the body functions with a high blood sugar level thereby increasing the risk for diabetic complications.  Plaque build-up also creates a dangerous source of bacteria that can be inhaled into the lungs and can lead to pneumonia.

Periodontal disease may be a significant contributor to other ailments.  The mouth has been described as the entryway to the body and can be a mirror for what is happening systemically in other parts of the body.  Professional treatment at the very first sign of gum disease is strongly encouraged.  A diligent daily oral hygiene regimen utilizing Perfect Smile products containing Q-litol™ may provide significant benefits in the fight to prevent and cure gum disease.

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