Periodontal Disease - Facts

If your hands bled when you scrubbed them chances are you'd be worried, yet many people believe its normal for your teeth to bleed when you brush or floss. The truth is, these could be symptoms of a very serious disease: Periodontal Disease.

Periodontal disease, also known as "gum disease," currently affects an estimated 85% of the population. There are different forms of the disease. Gingivitis, the mildest form of gum disease, is caused by bacteria from tartar and plaque and leads to swelling, redness, and bleeding of the gums. If left untreated, gingivitis can advance in to "periodontitis." Periodontitis is a more severe form of gum disease and can lead to "pockets" or areas where the gums separate from the tooth, infection, bone loss, as well as other serious health related problems (which we will discuss next week in part 2).

What's the scariest part of all this? Many people have this disease and don't even know it. So, are YOU at risk? Sadly, anyone can get the disease, but here is a list of things that increase your chances of getting periodontal disease:

-Do you smoke? It's proven that smoking is one of the most significant risk factors associated with the development of gum disease, not to mention smoking may also hinder a successful treatment.

-Do you have diabetes? People with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing infections, including gum disease.

-On meds? Many prescription medications reduce the flow of saliva, your mouth's natural cleaning agent that wards off unwanted bacteria. Decreased saliva leaves the mouth vulnerable to infections such as gum disease. Also, certain medications cause overgrowth of gum tissue making it difficult to keep the gums clean.

-Do you suffer from an illness? Illnesses such as HIV/AIDS or any other illnesses which reduce immune system production make your body extremely vulnerable to infections, including your mouth, and also make recovery and treatment difficult.

-Does it run in your family? Yes, it can be linked to genetics. If your family has a history of gum disease, you might be more susceptible than others.

If this information isn't enough to send you straight to the dentist for a check up, join me next week for part 2 where we will discuss the possible consequences of ignoring the symptoms of periodontal disease, including the very serious health risks involved which may surprise you.