Periodontal Disease - Prevent gum disease, gingivitis, and periodontal disease
How can gum disease be prevented?
You are an essential part of the process of caring for your teeth. Without your involvement, the hygienist and dentist are fighting an uphill battle.
Regular dental visits are vital to good dental health. In spite of your daily oral hygiene measures, calculus (tartar) will still form and a professional cleaning by a dentist or hygienist will remove the hardened calculus off the teeth. Why would you bother if it only forms again? Because calculus acts the same way coral reefs do. It serves as a hiding place, with all its microscopic nooks and crannies, for the millions of bacteria hovering about your teeth. If you remove the tartar, flossing and brushing will be that much more effective in removing plaque.
How does Periodontal Disease affect me? Does it link to other health problems?
The medical community views periodontal disease as an infection that creates a chronic state of inflammation in the body. Researchers speculate that this inflammation strains the immune system and makes the body more susceptible to a wide range of health problems. Despite the growing evidence, many people are not aware of the possible connection between periodontal disease and other diseases. We care about you and your total health and we try to keep you aware and informed about periodontal disease and its effects.
Cardiovascular Disease and Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease has been linked to an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. One possible reason is that the bacteria in the mouth can enter the bloodstream, which can increase plaque build-up in the arteries.
Diabetes and Periodontal Disease
People with diabetes are at a greater risk for periodontal disease, likely because of their overall increased risk for infection (periodontal disease is a bacterial infection of the mouth). Recent studies have found that the relationship might go the other way, too. Severe periodontal disease might worsen diabetes by increasing blood sugar (due to higher levels of certain chemicals from periodontal bacteria), which increases the risk for diabetic complications.
Respiratory Disease and Periodontal Disease
Infections in the mouth, like periodontal disease, are associated with increased risk of respiratory infection such as pneumonia, bronchitis, emphysema, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
Premature and Low – Birth Weight Babies and Periodontal Disease
Pregnant women who have periodontal disease may be seven times more likely to have a baby that is born too early or too small. Periodontal disease is an infection and all infections are cause for concern among pregnant women because they pose a risk to the health of the baby.
Tobacco and Periodontal Disease
We are all familiar with the links between tobacco use and lung disease, cancer and heart disease. Current studies have now linked periodontal disease with tobacco usage. These cases may be even more severe than the cases of non-tobacco users and respond less well to treatment. There is a greater incidence of calculus formation on teeth and deeper pockets between gums and teeth. In addition, a greater loss of bone and fibers that hold teeth in your mouth. Chemicals in tobacco such as nicotine and tar slow down healing and the predictability of success following periodontal treatment.