What is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease is an infection of the tissues that support your teeth.  These tissues include your gum, bone, and ligaments which attach your teeth to your jawbone.

Periodontal disease will destroy the gums and cause shifting of the teeth.  Here is a typical example:

How is Periodontal Disease Treated?

Please see the gum treatment page for treatment information.

What Causes Periodontal Disease?

The sticky film that forms on your teeth every few hours is called plaque, and is made mostly of bacteria.  Some of these bacteria produce byproducts (toxins) that can irritate, inflame, and damage the tissues that support your teeth.

Plaque that is not removed regularly can harden into a rough porous deposit called calculus, or tartar.  This can happen in as little as a few hours.  The calculus buildup then becomes a permanent source of bacteria, and can only be removed when your teeth are professionally cleaned in the dental office.

How Common is Periodontal Disease?

Unlike most diseases that give us early warning signs, gum disease progresses silently and without pain.  More than half of all people over 18 have at least the early stages of periodontal disease.  Even more frightening is that after the age of 35, three out of four people are affected to some degree.

How Can I Prevent Periodontal Disease?

Daily good oral hygiene can help reduce your risk of developing gum disease.  Plaque forms quickly and needs to be removed immediately before it can cause damage.  That's why it's necessary to brush 2-3 times per day and floss at least once a day (at night before brushing).

What Factors Increase the Risk of Periodontal Disease?

• Smoking or chewing tobacco.

• Systemic diseases such as diabetes.

• Medications such as steroids, some types of anti-epilepsy drugs, cancer therapy drugs, some calcium channel blockers, oral contraceptives, and medications that reduce your salivary flow.

• Poor-fitting crowns or bridges, improper fillings, crooked teeth, missing teeth.

• Pregnancy can also affect the gums due to hormonal changes.

How Would I Know if I have Periodontal Disease?

It is possible to have periodontal disease and have no warning signs.  That is one reason why regular dental checkups and periodontal examinations are very important.

However, several warning signs can signal that you have a problem with periodontal disease.  Be aware of these signs:

• Gums that bleed easily.

• Red, swollen, or tender gums.

• Gums that have pulled away from the teeth.

• Gums that look loose or flabby.

• Pus between the teeth when the gums are pressed.

• Persistent bad breath or bad taste.

• Permanent teeth that are loose or separating.

• Any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite.

• Any change in the fit of partial dentures.

• Empty spaces between your teeth where gum tissue once was.

Periodontal Disease is Linked to Heart Attacks & Strokes

* IMPORTANT *

Several studies have found the incidence of heart disease is about twice as high in people with periodontal disease.  But until recently, no direct cause had been suggested.

New studies now indicate that the most common strain of bacteria in dental plaque may cause blood clots.  The destruction of tissues around the teeth caused by periodontal disease creates a path for this bacteria to enter the bloodstream.  When blood clots escape into the bloodstream, they can block important arteries that nourish the heart or the brain.  This can cause a heart attack or a stroke.

A recent study describes the association between cardiovascular disease and periodontal disease to be at least as strong as the link between heart disease and cholesterol, body weight, or smoking.

What Else Can Periodontal Disease Lead to?

Periodontal disease starts in the mouth, but unfortunately it doesn't end there. Of course it is a direct cause of tooth loss, but it is also linked to much more:

• Inflammation of the lining of blood vessels that is known to lead to constriction in the arteries (arteriosclerosis).

• Infective endocarditis, which is a potentially fatal acute disease where the inner lining of the heart becomes inflamed.

• Lung infections in people with chronic lung diseaes.

• A weakened immune system that can

  • slow down wound healing,

  • increase your susceptibility to a variety of infections and diseases,

  • and diminish your response to vaccines (hepatitis B, flu).

• A higher risk of delivering premature, low birth weight babies.

• An increased risk of developing osteoporosis.

Evidence is mounting relating periodontal disease to more and more health concerns.  By keeping regular checkup appointments, we can help you increase your chances of living a long and healthy life.

The Progress of Periodontal Disease

1. Healthy gingiva (gum tissue), healthy periodontal ligaments, and healthy bone anchor teeth firmly in place:

• Healthy pink gums
• No bleeding
• Tissue is firm and resilient

2. Gingivitis develops as toxins and other plaque byproducts irritate the gums making them tender, swollen, and likely to bleed easily:

• Red inflamed gums
• Bleeding when probed, brushed, or flossed
• Puffy tissue

3. Periodontitis occurs when plaque byproducts destroy the tissues that anchor your teeth in the bone.  As the disease progresses, pockets form, which allow more plaque to collect below the gum line.  Tooth roots are exposed and become susceptible to decay and sensitive to cold and touch:

• Gum attachment to tooth weakens
• More bleeding
• Pockets of 4-6mm between teeth & gums

4. In advanced periodontitis, the teeth lose more support as the disease continues to destroy the periodontal ligament and bone.  Unless treated, the affected teeth frequently become loose and may fall out or require removal:

• Severe bone loss
• Spontaneous bleeding
• Bone has angular and jagged edges
• Pockets now more than 6mm deep

Can Periodontal Disease be Stopped?

Yes, it is usually quite easy to stop periodontal disease.  There are many ways to treat periodontal disease, including some new, revolutionary, simple, non-surgical methods!  Please see the gum treatment page for more information or call us for an examination and consultation.