By Dr. Steve Wegner
People are living longer and healthier lives. Researchers are finding that good oral health is essential to a better quality of life. Oral health is not just important for a nice looking smile or for chewing up your favorite foods. The health of your heart, arteries and blood chemistry can be dependent on the health of your mouth. The good news is that gum disease can be prevented or treated and does not have to be a part of growing older.
More than half of people over age 55 have gum disease. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in older adults. There is a strong relationship between gum disease and strokes, diabetes and heart disease, and it is not the kind of relationship you want to foster. Even in joint replacements, such as knees and hips, the primary cause of failure is infection, which can travel from the mouth to the prosthetic joint through the blood stream in those people who have gum disease. What is gum (periodontal) disease and how do keep it from being a problem for you?
What is Gum Disease?
Gum disease, also called periodontitis, is an infection of the gum tissue, bone and ligaments that surround and support the teeth. It is caused by bacteria that always live in the mouth, but they have grown out of control and cause many problems. It is typically the result of inadequate brushing and flossing that allows a sticky film of dental plaque (a mixture of bacteria, food debris and bacteria toxins) to accumulate on the teeth and on the roots. These, in turn, cause the gums to become inflamed and pull away from the roots leaving spaces called “pockets” next to the teeth. These pockets become infected with the bacteria as the plaque spreads under the gums and into these pockets.
The body’s immune system fights back and the resulting battle starts a cascade of events that lead to the breakdown of the gums, bone and ligaments that help to hold the teeth in place. The biggest problem is that this does not cause any pain to the unsuspecting person and gum disease silently becomes a serious threat. If left untreated, gum disease leads to tooth loss. As the bone around the teeth erodes away, the tooth becomes loose, infected, painful and soon it can no longer function to chew. Then the tooth must be removed.
Prevention is the Key
While all this warfare under the gums sounds like a losing battle, there are several ways to win. Visit the dentist at least twice a year. They are able to diagnose problems as they are starting and begin treating the problem before it is too late.
Brushing with a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste several times a day will get rid of the plaque and bacteria on those areas that a brush can reach. For the other areas in between the teeth, flossing or the use of specialized devices is a “must.” The key to prevention is removing the disease-causing plaque and bacteria from all of the tooth surfaces. Some of those surfaces are very difficult to reach, so consult with your dentist or dental hygienist to get the proper brushes, plastic picks or mini brushes to help you in your unique situation. Once started, gum disease is never “cured” and it can always come back. But with a team approach with you and your dentist, it can be kept under control.
Prevention can become more difficult with age simply because there are diseases and medications that complicate the efforts to prevent and treat gum disease.
- Arthritis or other physical difficulty can make it hard grasp and maneuver a toothbrush into the proper position to remove the plaque. It can be even more difficult to use floss. Special brushes with large handles, electric tooth brushes and even battery-powered “flossers” have been developed to help those with these needs.
- Medications and cancer treatments can dry out the mouth making it more difficult to remove the plaque.
- Diabetes and other diseases make it difficult for your body to fight infections allowing the gum disease to start and progress more easily.
- Last, but most problematic, is smoking! Smoking makes the process of healing from any wound more difficult. With the smoke being drawn directly into the mouth, the toxins and negative effects are most concentrated here, making gum disease worse and recovery more difficult.
Symptoms and Diagnosis of Gum Disease
As mentioned earlier, gum disease is not easily recognized in its early stages except by a dental health professional. However, if you recognize these signs and symptoms in your own mouth, it could be an early warning sign for you. These include:
- bad breath that will not go away
- red or swollen gums
- tender or bleeding gums
- painful chewing
- loose teeth
- sensitive teeth
- receding gums or teeth that appear to be getting longer
Any of these may be a sign of a serious problem that should be checked. Many times, gum disease can be quite advanced before these warning signs become apparent.
Treatment of Gum Disease
Years ago, surgery on the gum tissue was the most common way to treat the deep gum pockets. Now, there are many non-surgical options for many cases and gum surgery is reserved for only the worst cases. The goal of treating these pockets around the teeth is to make them accessible to the patient so they can keep them clean at home in between the professional deep cleanings. These professional deep cleanings meticulously clean the root surfaces of plaque and tarter. This is called “scaling and root planning”. Antibiotics and other medications are used to decrease the swelling of the gums and heal the pockets so they can be more easily cleaned by the patient at home. Bacteria and plaque must be cleaned out of the pockets at least every 24 hours. If this can be accomplished, the disease can be stabilized in most cases. Only your dental professional can tell you what your chances for success might be. It’s a team effort by the dentist, hygienist and the patient, to treat gum disease.
The Anti-Aging Bottom Line
While gum disease is most common in older adults, it does not have to happen at all! Do not let gum disease compromise your physical health and longevity. Good oral health not only keeps your smile looking good, but also plays a role in good cardiovascular and physical well-being. Proper dental care, healthy gums, regular dental exams and good nutrition can save your teeth and your life!
