Gum Disease

Read more about the article What is Gum Disease?

What is Gum Disease?

Gum disease is also known as periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is an infection of the gum tissues. Gum disease ranges in its severity, from inflammation of the gums that is gingivitis to more serious infections and complications, which is called periodontitis. Gum disease affects your mouth and teeth, but it affects your general health as well. Your general health gets affected because the infection in your mouth as a result of gum disease can travel to the other parts of your body through your bloodstream. Gum disease also poses a risk of heart disease as well as plays a role in sugar-levels.

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Read more about the article Does Diabetes Affect Oral Health?

Does Diabetes Affect Oral Health?

Diabetes and Oral Hygiene:

When you have diabetes, high blood sugar can take a toll on your entire body — including your teeth and gums. Whether you have type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes, managing your blood sugar level is key. The higher your blood sugar level, the higher your risk of following dental problems:

  • Tooth decay (cavities) – Your mouth naturally contains many types of bacteria. When starches and sugars in food and beverages interact with these bacteria, a sticky film known as plaque forms on your teeth. The acids in plaque attack the surfaces of your teeth (enamel and dentin). This can lead to cavities. The higher your blood sugar level, the greater the supply of sugars and starches and the more acid wearing away at your teeth.
  • Gum disease – Diabetes reduces your ability to fight bacteria. If you don’t remove plaque with regular brushing and flossing, it will harden under your gum line into a substance called tartar. The longer plaque and tartar remain on your teeth, the more they irritate the part of your gums around the base of your teeth. In time, your gums become swollen and bleed easily. This is gingivitis.
  • Advanced gum disease (periodontitis) – Left untreated, gingivitis can lead to a more serious infection called periodontitis, which destroys the soft tissue and bone that support your teeth. Eventually, periodontitis causes your gums and jawbone to pull away from your teeth, which in turn causes your teeth to loosen and possibly fall out. Periodontitis tends to be more severe among people who have diabetes because diabetes lowers the ability to resist infection and slows healing. An infection such as periodontitis may also cause your blood sugar level to rise, which in turn makes your diabetes more difficult to control. Preventing and treating periodontitis can help improve blood sugar control.

To help prevent damage to your teeth and gums, take diabetes and dental care seriously:

  • Make a commitment to manage your diabetes.
  • Brush your teeth at least twice a day.
  • Floss your teeth at least once a day.
  • Schedule regular dental visits.
  • Make sure your dentist knows you have diabetes.
  • Look for early signs of gum disease.
  • Don’t smoke.

Ref: American Diabetes Association, Diabetic Forecast Mar 2016

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Read more about the article Diabetes and Periodontitis

Diabetes and Periodontitis

Diabetes and Oral Hygiene

When you have diabetes, high blood sugar can take a toll on your entire body — including your teeth and gums. Whether you have type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes, managing your blood sugar level is key. The higher your blood sugar level, the higher your risk of following dental problems:

  • Tooth decay (cavities) – Your mouth naturally contains many types of bacteria. When starches and sugars in food and beverages interact with these bacteria, a sticky film known as plaque forms on your teeth. The acids in plaque attack the surfaces of your teeth (enamel and dentin). This can lead to cavities. The higher your blood sugar level, the greater the supply of sugars and starches and the more acid wearing away at your teeth.
  • Gum disease – Diabetes reduces your ability to fight bacteria. If you don’t remove plaque with regular brushing and flossing, it will harden under your gum line into a substance called tartar. The longer plaque and tartar remain on your teeth, the more they irritate the part of your gums around the base of your teeth. In time, your gums become swollen and bleed easily. This is gingivitis.
  • Advanced gum disease (periodontitis) – Left untreated, gingivitis can lead to a more serious infection called periodontitis, which destroys the soft tissue and bone that support your teeth. Eventually, periodontitis causes your gums and jawbone to pull away from your teeth, which in turn causes your teeth to loosen and possibly fall out. Periodontitis tends to be more severe among people who have diabetes because diabetes lowers the ability to resist infection and slows healing. An infection such as periodontitis may also cause your blood sugar level to rise, which in turn makes your diabetes more difficult to control. Preventing and treating periodontitis can help improve blood sugar control.

To help prevent damage to your teeth and gums, take diabetes and dental care seriously:

  • Make a commitment to manage your diabetes.
  • Brush your teeth at least twice a day.
  • Floss your teeth at least once a day.
  • Schedule regular dental visits.
  • Make sure your dentist knows you have diabetes.
  • Look for early signs of gum disease.
  • Don’t smoke.

Ref: American Diabetes Association, Diabetic Forecast Mar 2016

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Read more about the article Myth: Periodontal (Gum) Disease Affects Only the Mouth.

Myth: Periodontal (Gum) Disease Affects Only the Mouth.

Periodontal disease, also called gum disease, is mainly caused by bacteria from plaque and tartar build up. Other factors that have the potential to cause gum disease may include:

  • Tobacco use

  • Grinding your teeth

  • Certain medications

  • Genetics

Ref: Askthedentist.com

Gum disease affects only the oral health is a myth. Studies suggest that it contributes to life threatening conditions such as:

  • Heart disease and stroke – Gingivitis may increase the risk of heart disease and stroke because of the high levels of bacteria found in infected areas of the mouth. As the level of periodontal disease increases, the risk of cardiovascular disease may increase with it.

  • Diabetes – People with diabetes often have some form of gum disease, likely caused by high blood glucose. People with diabetes need to take extra care to ensure proper brushing and flossing techniques are used to prevent the advancement of the gum disease. Regular check-ups and cleanings with your dental hygienist should be followed.

  • Chronic kidney disease – People without any natural teeth, are more likely to have chronic kidney disease (CDK), than people with natural teeth. CDK affects blood pressure potentially causing heart disease, contributed to kidney failure, and affects bone health.

  • Preterm birth – Women with periodontal disease are more likely to have a baby born preterm compared to women without any form of gum disease. Women are more susceptible to gingivitis when pregnant and should follow their regular brushing habits, and continue with dental cleanings and examinations.

To prevent gum disease, proper brushing and flossing and following dental hygiene tips is the easiest way, but regular cleanings with your dentist are necessary to remove calculus and treat advanced gum disease. If you are concerned that you may have gum disease, contact your dentist.

Source:

www.webmd.com
www.dentistry.com

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Read more about the article How Common is Gum Disease?

How Common is Gum Disease?

Gum disease is a very common condition where the gums become swollen, sore or infected and most people experience it at least once. It is much less common in children. As per Canadian Dental Association (CDA), 7 out of 10 Canadians develop gum disease at some time in their lives. The incidence of gum disease is very high. It is seen in all types of people, all races and cultures, regardless of where they live or their level of education

People who do not go to a family dentist are frequently unaware they have a problem — an estimated 20 per cent of Canadians have active periodontal disease and do not know it.

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a chronic infection that can result in a number of health problems, from mild inflammation to severe gum damage to tooth loss, if left untreated. In addition, gum disease can affect your overall health, and has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.

It is an infection of the tissues that surround and support your teeth, and is caused by plaque, the sticky film of bacteria that is constantly forming on our teeth. Plaque that is not removed with thorough daily brushing and cleaning between teeth can eventually harden into calculus or tartar.

If you have gum disease, your gums may bleed when you brush your teeth and you may have bad breath. This stage of gum disease is known as gingivitis. If gingivitis is not treated, a condition called periodontitis can develop. This affects the tissues that support teeth and hold them in place.

Signs of Gum Disease:

Your oral health is critical to your overall health. If you notice any of the following symptoms, seek care from a dentist who is knowledgeable about treating gum disease:

  • A sour taste in your mouth or persistently bad breath

  • A change in how your partial dentures fit

  • A change in how your teeth fit together when you bite down

  • Bleeding gums

  • Gum tissue that pulls away from your teeth

  • Loose teeth or increasing spaces between your teeth

  • Pain when chewing

  • Unusually sensitive teeth

  • Swollen and tender gums

Gum Disease Treatment Options:

  • Regular professional deep cleanings

  • Medications that are either taken orally or are inserted directly into infected tissue pockets

  • Surgery, in more severe cases of gum disease.

  • Good oral hygiene home practices i.e. brushing + flossing.

Despite following good oral hygiene practices, people may be genetically susceptible to gum disease. If anyone in your family has gum disease, it may mean that you are at greater risk, as well. If you are more susceptible to gum disease, your dentist or periodontist may recommend more frequent check-ups, cleanings, and treatments to better manage the condition.

Source: www.canada.com/health/disease rise population ages/1353520/story.html

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