Understanding Gum Disease
Modern dentistry has made enormous strides in the last 10 years. The use of fluoride, tooth sealants and other techniques has greatly reduced the number of cavities people get. Today, more than half of children ages 5-17 years have no cavities or fillings at all in their teeth.
Unfortunately, many people will still lose their teeth and have to endure a life of wearing dentures. The culprit is gum disease (also known as periodontal disease).
When a dentist talks about gum disease, it is not actually the gums that he is concerned about. He is mostly concerned with the bone which surrounds the roots of the teeth. It is this bone which holds the teeth firmly in your mouth.
In a person with gum disease, an infection caused by bacteria and plaque which has accumulated under the persons gums, destroys the bone which holds the teeth.
The diagram to the right shows the jaw bone and teeth of a healthy person. Notice how the jaw bone (shown as little circles) completely surrounds the roots of the teeth.
Compare this to the Diagram to the left which shows a person with advanced gum disease. The gum disease has destroyed most of the bone which holds the teeth. The teeth are now quite loose and unfortunately will probably be lost. Once the bone which holds the teeth is destroyed, it will never grow back. After age 35, about three out-of four adults develop some form of gum disease. If discovered early, the disease can usually be treated and stopped.
Unfortunately, gum disease is often not discovered until much of the bone holding the teeth has been destroyed. This is because gum disease is often a "silent" disease like high blood pressure or cancer. The patient usually has no pain until the disease has gotten very bad and the teeth are getting loose. By this stage of the disease, saving the teeth may not be possible.
Frequent dental examinations and periodic dental x-rays allow the detection of gum disease in its early stages when it is usually treatable. Proper brushing and flossing combined with regular cleanings by the dentist help to remove bacterial plaque from below the gums and thus help to prevent gum disease.
Recent scientific research has discovered a linkage between gum disease and stroke, heart disease, diabetes and even an increased risk for pregnant women. When your gums become diseased, your entire immune system is weakened.
