Maintaining healthy teeth and gums isn’t just about fresh breath or a sparkly smile. It’s important to your overall health. Why? Because gum disease, or periodontal disease, can erode the foundation of your mouth, and could pose a threat to your body.

Gum disease is very common, with close to 80 percent of U.S. adults currently having some form of the disease. Other research indicates it is the leading cause of adult tooth loss if left untreated.

What is gum disease?

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a silent, persistant bacterial infection around the gums and the bone that support your teeth.

 What are the symptoms?

Your gums can give you an indication that you may have an infection:

• Red, swollen and tender gums
• Gums that bleed after brushing or flossing
• Persistant bad breath
• pain while chewing
• Loose teeth

A member of your dental team can determine if you have periodontal disease by performing a quick and relatively painless test to measure the size and depth of the pockets in the gum. Pockets that are 5 or more millimeters (mm) in depth may indicate an infection.

What can you do to prevent gum disease in the future?

• Visit your dentist or periodontist at a minimum six months or as recommended.
• Brush and floss regularly.
• Your dentist may recommend an antiseptic mouthwash.

Signs and Symptoms

Healthy

• Gums have healthy pink color
• Gum line hugs teeth tightly
• No bleeding   

Gingivitis

• Gums bleed easily when brushed or probed gently during examination
• Gums are inflamed and sensitive to touch
• Possible bad breath and bad taste
• Gums between teeth may look blush-red in color

Early Periodontitis

• Gums may pull away from the teeth
• More pronounced bleeding, pufiness and inflammation
• Bad breath and bad taste
• Slight horizontal bone loss
• Pockets of 4 mm between teeth and gums in one or more areas of the mouth

Moderate Periodontitis

• Periodontal abscesses may develop
• Gums recede and teeth look longer
• Front teeth may begine to drift, showing spaces
• Bad breath, bad taste
• Pockets from 4 to 6 mm deep between teeth and gums

Advanced Periodontitis

• Teeth may become mobile or loose
• Bad breath and bad taste are constant
• Roots may be exposed; sensitive to hot and cold
• Severe horizontal and angular bone loss on x-ray
• Pockets in excess of 6 mm deep between teeth and gums

Periodontal Disease (gum disease) may effect general health.

Dementia/Alzheimers

• The infection and inflammation of periodontal disease may be associated with cognitive decline and dimentia.

Respiratory Infections

• Inhaling bacteria from the mouth and throat can lead to pheumonia
• Dental plaque buikldup creates a dangerous source of bacteria that can be inhaled into the lungs.

Severe Osteopenia

• Reduction in bone mass (osteopenia) is associated with gum disease and related tooth loss.
• Severity has been connected to tooth loss in post-menopausal women.

Pregnancy Complications

• 50-70% of women will develop gingivites some time during their pregnancy – a condition called pregnancy gingivitis.
• The increase of estrogen and progesterone levels during this time cauases the gums to react differently to the bacteria in plaque. this reaction causes swelling, bleeding, redness or tenderness in the gum tissue.

Stroke

• Those with adult periodontitis may have increased risk of stroke.

Oral Cancer

• Chronic periodontitis may lead to the loss of bone and increased risk for oral cancer.

Heart Disease

• Those with adult periodontitis may have increased risk of a fatal heart attack
• Periodontitis also increases chances of being diagnosed with cardiovascular disease
• Bacteria from the mouth may cause clotting problems in the cardiovascular system

Uncontrolled Diabetes

• Chronic periodontal disease can disrupt diabetic control
• Diabetes can alter the pocket environment, contributing to bacterial growth.
• Smokers with diabetes increase their risk of tooth loss by 20 times.
• People with type ll diabetes are three times likely to develop periodontal disease than are non-diabetics.

Call the office of  Warren M Krutchick DDS at (716) 675-9225. We’ll make an appointment for you to discuss your concerns regarding periodontal disease. Visit our website at www.wkdental.com

Gum disease · Periodontal Disease