Periodontal Disease - Defined, Dangers, Treatments And Preventions

Are your gums swollen, red, and tender? Do they sometimes bleed when you brush

? This is not really all that surprising. It is estimated that up to 80% of the population have some stage of gum disease, though not full blown periodontal disease.

A major cause of tooth loss among middle-aged and older adults, this bacterial boogie man is implicated in some serious overall health issues. Luckily, with early detection and treatment the dangers can be lessened and even reversed. The best plan of action, however, is prevention.

Periodontal disease represents a group of conditions that targets the tissues supporting and anchoring your teeth. In its most serious form, a deep pocket forms between your teeth, your gums, and the cementum covering the roots of your teeth. Once this pocket has formed, it provides the perfect place for plaque and food debris to collect and decay, destroying the tissue that connects your teeth to their alveolar bone base. Without treatment, your teeth will loosen and begin to fall out.

If the threat of looking like a jack-o-lantern doesn't inspire you to reevaluate your oral hygiene routine, perhaps knowing the even more sinister side of long-term periodontal disease will. Infected gums release harmful, pro-inflammatory bacterial components into your bloodstream, increasing your risk for systemic disorders such as cardiovascular disease, which can trigger heart attacks or strokes.

Bacteria isn't the only culprit. Chronic inflammation, another feature of the disorder, appears to play a role in cardiovascular disease and various other chronic inflammatory conditions. If, for example, you have type 2 diabetes that isn't adequately controlled, you are more susceptible to infections in general. This includes periodontal disease, which tends to increase blood sugar levels, setting the stage for a self-perpetuating, escalating sugar-bacterial cycle.

Treatments vary depending on severity, but a take-home treatment, now offered by some dentists, presents an option worth considering. This therapeutic method uses a series of flexible, customized trays placed in the mouth to deliver medication that kills the underlying bacteria causing the disorder. The process is quick, comfortable, and easy.

Although such factors as smoking, heredity, hormones, nutrition, immune system function, and certain drugs can increase your susceptibility, the number one cause of gum disease is poor oral hygiene and lack of professional dental care. Simply by brushing and flossing at least twice daily and visiting your dentist regularly for professional examinations and cleaning, you will dramatically reduce your risk of falling prey to this tooth-threatening troublemaker. The health benefits of making good dental hygiene a part of your daily routine are worth it!

by: Stephen Daniels

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