Gum
Disease
Periodontal
disease is generally painless, and most people are
unaware that they have it until a dental examination reveals the condition.
Periodontal disease is mainly caused by the bacteria found
in dental plaque. These bacteria produce toxins or poisons
that can irritate the gums. Prolonged irritation may cause
the gums to separate from the teeth, creating “pockets” of
space between tooth and gum tissue where bacteria thrive.
Left untreated, as the disease progresses the pockets deepen.
Eventually, the disease may cause a tooth’s entire support
structure to become so weak that the tooth becomes loose falls
out or has to be removed.
What
Causes Gum Disease?
Periodontal
disease is an infection caused by certain types or species of bacteria.
Having the bacteria present does not mean however that you have
an active disease. Any number of risk factors may also influence
the development of the disease:
- Smoking:
- Smoking is the #1 behavioral risk factor in periodontal
disease. If you smoke now... stop
smoking.
- Stress:
Emotional stress may increase risk by depressing the immune
system, making it more likely for a bacterial infection
to gain
a foothold. Holistic and behavioral therapies are available
to
help manage this particular factor.
- Medical
conditions: Diabetes is well known to increase susceptibility
by impairing
the immune system and decreasing
production of collagen
and bone.
- Genetics:
Heredity can be a risk factor in about 50% of patients with
periodontal disease.
Medications: Many medications can have harmful effects
on oral health. These include certain heart and anti-seizure
medications.
- Aging:
Advancing age and other miscellaneous at-risk factors including
poor nutrition and changes in female
hormones
production can make
women more susceptible to periodontal disease.
Advanced
Periodontal Research
Relationships
with other diseases
Modern
research supports a popular theory that oral bacteria enters
the bloodstream and travels through the body, causing other medical
problems. Here is a list of findings discovered thus far:
- Heart
Disease: Researchers found that men suffering from
advanced periodontal disease were 4 1/2 times more likely
to have
coronary artery disease.
- Stroke:
A study showed that 70% of the fatty deposits found
in the carotid arteries of stroke sufferers contained bacteria
--
40% of which came from the mouth.
- Diabetes:
While we’ve long known that diabetics were
at increased risk of periodontal disease, new studies have
shown
that periodontal disease makes it much harder for diabetics
to control blood glucose levels.
- Respiratory
Disease: Dental plaque buildup creates a dangerous
source of bacteria that can be inhaled into the lungs. Inhaling
bacteria from the mouth and throat can lead to pneumonia.
- Low
birth-weight babies: Research has found that women
with untreated periodontal disease had a much greater incidence
of low birth-weight
babies.
Diagnosing
Periodontal Disease
Although
periodontal disease can proceed without symptoms, there can often
be warning signs. You may not realize that persistent
swollen, red or bleeding gums, tooth sensitivity, and bad breath
are indicators of periodontal disease. While we can determine
if you do have this problem, here are ten questions you can ask
yourself about some of the warning signs behind periodontal disease
so that you can seek treatment.
- Do
you ever have pain in your mouth?
- Do
your gums bleed when you brush your teeth or eat hard food?
- Have
you noticed any spaces developing between your teeth?
- Do
your gums ever feel swollen or tender?
- Have
you noticed that your gums are receding?
- Do
your teeth appear longer than before?
- Do
you have persistent bad breath?
- Have
you noticed any change in the way your teeth fit together when
you bite?
Methods
of Treatment
The
first step in treatment includes a comprehensive oral examination
to identify areas of concern. At Southwest Michigan Periodontics
you can feel assured that you will receive the most modern treatment
available once problem areas have been identified. Dr. Brayton
is trained in the latest treatment methods, which have been proven
and supported by the most current research.
Conservative
Therapy: When heavy deposits of plaque are found on the roots
of teeth a “deep cleaning” or scaling
and root planing is often the first treatment provided. Patients
are typically numbed to prevent discomfort during the procedure.
Following this treatment only slight tenderness is usually reported.
Limits to this treatment are the depths of the gum pocket, with
deeper pockets being more difficult to clean adequately. Patients
are re-evaluated following this treatment phase to determine if
the gum tissue response to treatment is satisfactory, or if surgical
therapy is necessary to provide gum health.
Laser Treatment: Lasers are a form of surgical therapy and provide
tremendous patient benefit. Lasers enable us to perform precision
treatment of the soft tissue with reduced bleeding and discomfort.
Although not ideal for all treatment indications, lasers are utilized
whenever possible to optimize treatment outcomes.
Regeneration: Regeneration is another form of surgical therapy
that can allow the patient to actually regain some of the lost
support around the teeth. Regenerative procedures can reverse some
the damage caused by periodontal disease by replacing lost bone
and gum tissue. There are many regenerative treatment options available
to help you enhance the support for your teeth and restore your
bone to a healthy level. The experienced team at Southwest Michigan
Periodontics can help you understand all of the latest technology
available. Focusing that technology for your specific case, Dr.
Brayton will discuss the best options for you.
Contact
South West Michigan Periodontics to learn more about periodontal
treatment or to arrange a consult to determine if you would benefit
from perodontic treatment. If you suspect a problem issue... the
time to investigate it is now.
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