Gum disease begins when a film called plaque accumulates on the teeth and calcium from saliva hardens the plaque—this calcified plaque is called tartar or calculus. Certain types of germs that live in this plaque and calculus damage gum tissue. Your body tries to fight this infection with an inflammatory attack, sending white blood cells to the area to destroy the bacteria. This inflammation causes the tissue to bleed easily when you brush or floss. This stage of the condition is called gingivitis. If the infection and inflammation persist, the result is a chronic inflammatory condition where the gums, ligament and bone around the teeth are destroyed—often with no symptoms. This stage is called periodontitis.
Signs/Symptoms of Moderate—Advanced Gum Disease Include:
• Gums that are red, swollen, and bleed easily
• Gums that seem to have pulled away from the teeth
• Bad breath or halitosis
• Pus between your teeth and gums
• Teeth that seem to be loose or moving away from one another
• Change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
• Change in the way your partial denture or implant-supported restorations fit
• Or no symptoms at all!
Well known risk factors for periodontitis include genetics, stress, avoiding the dentist, not brushing or flossing, and some medical conditions. Smokers are significantly more likely to develop gum disease than non-smokers.
It’s not just about your teeth anymore — gum disease has been linked to numerous health problems, with new studies emerging all the time linking oral and overall health.
The Link Between Gum Disease, Heart Disease, and Stroke
Research indicates gum disease may increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. People with gum disease are twice as likely to have heart disease. Those diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke (brain injury caused by a blocked blood vessel) are more likely to have gum disease.
The presence of common problems in the mouth, including gum disease, cavities, and missing teeth, were as good at predicting heart disease as cholesterol levels.
The Possible Connection: Oral Bacteria
Proactive Prevention: Oral Health Affects Total Health
If you have gum disease plus one risk factor of heart disease, have an annual medical exam to check your heart health.
Over 50% of adults in the U.S. have some degree of gum disease, but did you know the impact goes far beyond your mouth?
Statistically, gum disease is higher in men (56.4%) than in women (38.4%).
The health risks of gum disease go far beyond the loss of teeth. There is a connection between gum disease and a number of serious medical conditions.
People with periodontal disease:
Gum disease has also been linked to other health problems, including:
The health of your mouth, teeth, and gums has a direct impact on your overall health. This relationship has recently been coined as Oral Systemic Connection. Research has recently found that the same bacteria that causes gums to become inflamed can travel throughout the body, including to cells in the coronary arteries. Recent reports have linked gum disease with Heart Disease, Stroke, Diabetes, Pregnancy problems, Increased risk of pancreatic cancer.
Traditional gum surgery is the removal of the periodontal disease-causing bacteria that lives below the gumline.
Traditional gum surgery procedure is also referred to as flap surgery, or pocket reduction surgery, during which the gum is gently lifted back to remove the tartar that has accumulated below the gumline. The gums are then reattached to the newly sterilized surface to heal.
Candidates for Traditional Gum Surgery are those with red, swollen, bleeding or tender gums, chronic bad breath, and those with periodontal disease.
Recovery time and post-surgery needs differ from person to person. During this time, it is important to follow the instructions and medications given to you. Be sure to keep all areas in your mouth clean after surgery, use ice packs to minimize swelling, and avoid very hot liquids initially after surgery.