Why do we need awareness? Because 50% of adults in the U.S. have periodontal disease, and millions have no idea.
While we at Holmdel Periodontics & Implant Dentistry dedicate every day to spreading awareness of and treating gum disease, National Gum Disease Awareness Month is a good reminder of the importance of maintaining your gum health. Not only because unhealthy gums can lead to lost teeth, but because infected gums are linked to serious medical conditions that impact your overall health.
Gum disease, what we call periodontal disease, begins simply enough as gingivitis. Gingivitis develops when the film of plaque that forms on everyone’s teeth every day is not cleaned away. When plaque accumulates on our teeth, it releases bacteria that causes the gums to become infected. Our immune system’s reaction to is to send fighter cells to surround and suppress the infection. This response in turn creates inflammation.
Signs of inflammation include tender or puffy gums or light bleeding when you brush. Luckily gingivitis is reversible, so if you notice these symptoms head to us for a deep cleaning to clear away the infection and swelling.
Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory disease. Chronic inflammation in one area travels through the body with the potential to cause damage elsewhere.
If gingivitis is not eliminated, it will always progress to the more serious gum disease stage called periodontitis. Periodontitis can’t be reversed, but it can be successfully treated by a board-certified periodontist like Dr. Aldredge. Periodontitis develops when plaque on the teeth hardens into tarter, or calculus, and causes the gums to start pulling away from the teeth. The infection that started with gingivitis becomes more severe. The existing bacteria releases acid that damages and eventually destroys both the gum tissue and bone structure that holds teeth in place. No longer anchored securely in the jaw, teeth will shift and eventually fall out. In fact, periodontal disease is the number one cause of tooth loss among adults. Dr. Aldredge’s goal is to save those teeth with gum surgery, gum grafting and bone tissue grafting.
The equally important reason for quick treatment of periodontal disease is to help maintain your oral health. Dr. Aldredge knows that as long as there is an infection in the gums, the immune system will continue to send cells to fight the bacteria and the gums will reach a state of chronic inflammation.
At this point, periodontal disease has evolved from a threat to teeth and gums to a threat to overall health. Oral bacteria, and the inflammation that accompanies it, can cross into the bloodstream. From there, they travel through the body, unwelcome and dangerous visitors. Researchers have found oral bacterial in arteries, lungs, the heart, brain, kidneys, and pancreas. They have been able to link the presence of those microbes to heart disease, stroke, aneurism, dementia, diabetes, breast cancer, low birth weight and other medical issues. While they can’t yet confirm that cells from the mouth are the direct cause, a number of published and ongoing studies point in that direction.
Dr. Aldredge and his associates at Holmdel Periodontology & Dental Implants are well-versed on the connection between the mouth and whole-body health. They constantly review and discuss new information presented by leading dental organizations such as the Academy of Periodontology and the American Dental Association.
During this Gum Disease Awareness Month and every month. your safest bet to avoid periodontal disease is to brush and floss faithfully and schedule routine dental visits. If you suspect periodontal disease, Holmdel Periodontics & Implant Dentistry Gum is here with expert treatment to restore comfort, save your teeth, and possibly save your health.
Contact us for a comprehensive periodontal exam.
