|
Gingivitis
If you have swollen,
bleeding gums, you may have periodontal disease. The sooner this is controlled;
your mouth and teeth will feel better. If untreated, gum disease will cause
serious loss of bone and tooth loss. Gum disease has also been linked to heart
disease, stoke, low weight and premature babies. Gum disease is also
exacerbated by diabetes. The American Dental Association (ADA) says that over
75- 80 % of all adults have some degree of gum disease. Gum disease has reached
epidemic proportions and we take it very seriously, SO SHOULD YOU!
Periodontal
Disease
Gum disease (correct term - periodontal disease) is a
bacterial infection of the gums and structures that support the teeth. For
communication purposes, gum disease is divided into four stages. We now know
that these stages are not separate, but represent a progression of the painless
killer.
Stage
1
Gingivitis affects 9 of every 10 people in our population, including
children. Gums that are red, puffy and bleed, no matter how little, when
brushed and flossed as well as breath odor characterize it. It is caused by
several species of bacteria (sugar bugs) that form slimy colonies called "
plaque". Plaque is invisible to the eye until it accumulates as a thick
yellowish-white coating on the teeth. The harmful bacteria in plaque release
toxins that result in inflammation of gum tissues. If left untreated,
gingivitis progresses to the following stages.
Sate II, III,
IV
The second, third and fourth stages are early, moderate and advanced
periodontal disease. These are characterized by progressive erosion of the bone
supporting the teeth. This occurs in response to the increasing severity of
inflammation. As the disease progresses, teeth seem to change position in
relation to each other and become loose. Periodontal disease may progress for
years without pain or detection. Diagnosis by your dentist requires thorough
clinical and x-ray examination.
Pregnancy
Gingivitis
Many mothers-to-be experience swollen, bleeding gums
during pregnancy and experience several problems after delivery. This is often
blamed on pregnancy. During pregnancy, hormonal changes tend to magnify the gum
disease process. Furthermore, pregnant women tend to eat more frequent, smaller
meals and may have cravings for "junk foods". Exposing teeth and gums to more
sugars and not improving brushing and flossing to meet these changes result in
increase susceptibility to gum disease. As we have always heard from our
elders, ""an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure". Gum disease is
preventable if addressed early. Everyone should have his or her teeth
professionally cleaned at least twice each year. Some may need to have their
teeth cleaned three of four times per year. After gum treatment, a maintenance
schedule of every three months is required.
Caries &
PreventionPlaque and the toxins and acids from the bacteria also attack
our teeth by causing cavities (caries). Fluoride has been beneficial to
patients of all ages in preventing caries. Effective brushing, especially at
night, lowers the chance of developing caries. The areas of the teeth most
prone to caries are the grooves and depressions on the chewing surfaces of the
back teeth and the surfaces between the teeth.
To prevent decay on the
chewing surfaces, a plastic-like coating called a sealant should be placed on
the chewing surface of all back teeth. Studies show that sealant can reduce
tooth decay by as mush as 90- 100%. Sealants should be placed as soon as the
teeth are fully erupted. We have placed sealants on the caries-free teeth of
adults who were preparing to go camping. Sealant application is simple, fast
and painless.
Diabetes & Gum
Disease
Like other complications of diabetes, gum disease is linked
to diabetic control. People with poor blood sugar control get gum disease more
often and more severely, and they lose more teeth than do persons with good
control. People, who have well-controlled diabetes and good oral hygiene, have
no more gum disease than people without diabetes. Children with
insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus are also at risk for gum problems. Smoking
also has a profound effect on gum health. Smokers are 5 times more likely than
are non-smokers to have gum disease. If you are a smoker with diabetes and 45
years or older, you are 20 times more likely than a person without these risk
factors to get severe gum disease. Let us be your partner in controlling this
disease.
Prevention & Periodontics |
Cosmetics | Tooth
Replacement
TMJ Treatment |
Braces | Root Canal
Treatment |
