The bad news: at some point in your life, you'll probably have the red, swollen and even bleeding gums that signify gum disease. The good news: nearly all early cases can be reversed and then kept at bay with dental visits and proper oral hygiene.
About 80 Percent of Australian and New Zealand adults have some degree of gum disease--also called gingivitis--throughout their lives. Unlike may infections, gum disease doesn't hurt at first, and it may be years before you even know you have it. But over time, the bacteria causing the infection can seriously damage gum tissue and weaken the bones that hold your teeth in place.
Bacteria that live in the mouth normally produce a thin, sticky film called plaque. In small amouts, plaque is helpful because it provides a protective barrier against futher bacterial incursions. But when too much plaque accumulates, it clings to the teeth and gets beneath the gum line. If it's not removed promptly, it gradually hardens into a rock-hard layer called tartar. It irritates the gums and causes redness, tenderness or bleeding---the first signs of gingivitis.
Most gingivitis occurs when people don't brush or floss their teeth often enough. Other risk factors are also involved. Some people, for example, have a genetic susceptibility for developing gum disease. It's more common in women because increases in the hormone progesterone in the days prior to menstruation can increase inflammation and reduce the body's ability to repair gum damage. Gum disease can also be caused, or worsened, by smoking, uncontrolled diabetes or the use of medications that reduce the flow of cleansing saliva.
You can almost always reverse mild gum disease by removing plaque before it turns into tarar--but you have to catch it early. If you don't, gingivitis can progress to a more serious condition called periodontitis, which destroys the bone and other tissues that hold the teeth in place.
LIKELY FIRST STEPS
Your dentist will know if you have gingivitis just by looking in your mouth. Your gums will be slightly swollen, they'll bleed easily and they'll be deep red rather than healthy pink. To determine how serious it is, the dentist will use a small metal probe to measure the depth of the space between your teeth and gums. If the groove is deeper than about 3 mm, it may mean that gingivitis has progressed to the point that it's damaging tissue and has created 'pockets' that are vulnerable to continued infection.
Treatment Options
What is happening
About 80 Percent of Australian and New Zealand adults have some degree of gum disease--also called gingivitis--throughout their lives. Unlike may infections, gum disease doesn't hurt at first, and it may be years before you even know you have it. But over time, the bacteria causing the infection can seriously damage gum tissue and weaken the bones that hold your teeth in place.
Bacteria that live in the mouth normally produce a thin, sticky film called plaque. In small amouts, plaque is helpful because it provides a protective barrier against futher bacterial incursions. But when too much plaque accumulates, it clings to the teeth and gets beneath the gum line. If it's not removed promptly, it gradually hardens into a rock-hard layer called tartar. It irritates the gums and causes redness, tenderness or bleeding---the first signs of gingivitis.
Most gingivitis occurs when people don't brush or floss their teeth often enough. Other risk factors are also involved. Some people, for example, have a genetic susceptibility for developing gum disease. It's more common in women because increases in the hormone progesterone in the days prior to menstruation can increase inflammation and reduce the body's ability to repair gum damage. Gum disease can also be caused, or worsened, by smoking, uncontrolled diabetes or the use of medications that reduce the flow of cleansing saliva.
You can almost always reverse mild gum disease by removing plaque before it turns into tarar--but you have to catch it early. If you don't, gingivitis can progress to a more serious condition called periodontitis, which destroys the bone and other tissues that hold the teeth in place.
- Floss and brush regularly to control gum redness, swelling or tenderness.
- Get your teeth cleaned twice a year--more often for persistent gingivitis.
- Have deep cleaning done, if needed, to remove tartar and damaged tissue.
- Undergo surgery if your disease is advanced to reduce the size of pockets under the gums.
QUESTIONS TO ASK
- How much time should I spend flossing and brushing?
- How do I floss around my bridgework?
- Can I control my gum disease without medications?
- Do you think I should see a periodontist?
Treatments
Your dentist will know if you have gingivitis just by looking in your mouth. Your gums will be slightly swollen, they'll bleed easily and they'll be deep red rather than healthy pink. To determine how serious it is, the dentist will use a small metal probe to measure the depth of the space between your teeth and gums. If the groove is deeper than about 3 mm, it may mean that gingivitis has progressed to the point that it's damaging tissue and has created 'pockets' that are vulnerable to continued infection.
LIFESTYLE CHANGES
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brush & floss Removes plaques before it causes problems.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Drink water Increases saliva to wash away bacteria.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eat well More fruits and vegetables, avoid sugary foods.
MEDICATIONS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mouthwash Fights gum disease.
PROCEDURES
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Routine cleaning Keeps your gums disease-free.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Full-mouth debridement Remove tartar; smoothes and planes teeth
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gum surgery Deals with damaged tissue under the gums.
NATURAL METHODS-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Natural products Try those with bloodroot or coenyzme Q10.
Early-stage gum disease will probably disappear once you have your teeth professionally cleaned by a dentist. More serious cases, however, will require more extensive treatments. But it needn't go that far. Nearly everyone can put their gums back in the pink with some simple steps.
Lifestyle changes
Good dental hygiene will reverse most cases of gingivitis. The most important thing is to brush your teeth two or more times daily to remove soft plaque before it hardens. Be sure to brush first thing in the morning, because the reduced flow of saliva at night gives bacteria a chance to multiply. To get the most out of brushing, start with a dry brush. One study found that dry brushing, followed by brushing with toothpaste, reduce plaque deposits by 67 percent. Old-fashioned toothbrushes work fine, but electric toothbrushes can be even more effective at removing plaque.
TAKING CONTROL
Result: a potentially harmful build-up of bacteria and plaque. Solution: drink plenty of water or chew sugarless gum.
IF YOU HAVE RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS, take extra good care of your teeth. A recent study found that people with RA are more than twice as likely as those without the condition to develop serious gum disease, or periodontitis. Both conditions involve chronic inflammation, which can result in bone destruction that affects the teeth as well as the joints. Schedule professional cleanings every three months, and be sure to brush and floss meticulously.
Also, use a toothpaste
that contains flouride, a mineral that inhibits bacteria and
strenghtens tooth enamel. The only toothpaste that has been approved by
the US Food and Drug Adminstration for treating gum disease is Colgate's Total.
Along with flouride, it contains triclosan, a germ-killing compound
that remains in the mouth after brushing. Brush with a medium-to-soft,
nylon-tufted, small-headed toothbrush. Don't forget to floss your teeth before brushing. Flossing removes plaque between the teeth, where a brush can't reach. Waxed and unwaxed flosses are equally effective, but you'll want to avoid too-thin flosses: they can cut into the gums and cause bleeding. If the spaces between your teeth are too tight to admit regular floss, try Gore-Tex floss. It slips easily between the teeth and is unlikely to break or fray. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brush & floss Removes plaques before it causes problems.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Drink water Increases saliva to wash away bacteria.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eat well More fruits and vegetables, avoid sugary foods.
MEDICATIONS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mouthwash Fights gum disease.
PROCEDURES
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Routine cleaning Keeps your gums disease-free.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Full-mouth debridement Remove tartar; smoothes and planes teeth
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gum surgery Deals with damaged tissue under the gums.
NATURAL METHODS-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Natural products Try those with bloodroot or coenyzme Q10.
Early-stage gum disease will probably disappear once you have your teeth professionally cleaned by a dentist. More serious cases, however, will require more extensive treatments. But it needn't go that far. Nearly everyone can put their gums back in the pink with some simple steps.
Lifestyle changes
Good dental hygiene will reverse most cases of gingivitis. The most important thing is to brush your teeth two or more times daily to remove soft plaque before it hardens. Be sure to brush first thing in the morning, because the reduced flow of saliva at night gives bacteria a chance to multiply. To get the most out of brushing, start with a dry brush. One study found that dry brushing, followed by brushing with toothpaste, reduce plaque deposits by 67 percent. Old-fashioned toothbrushes work fine, but electric toothbrushes can be even more effective at removing plaque.
TAKING CONTROL
- Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle. This allows the bristles to thoroughly clean the groove between the gums and teeth.
- Don't brush with plain bicarb soda. It doesn't clean as well as toothpaste and the abrasive particles can wear away tooth enamel.
- Rinse your mouth with water. When you can't brush after meals, swish water around your mouth. This will remove food particles and reduce bacteria by 30%.
Result: a potentially harmful build-up of bacteria and plaque. Solution: drink plenty of water or chew sugarless gum.
IF YOU HAVE RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS, take extra good care of your teeth. A recent study found that people with RA are more than twice as likely as those without the condition to develop serious gum disease, or periodontitis. Both conditions involve chronic inflammation, which can result in bone destruction that affects the teeth as well as the joints. Schedule professional cleanings every three months, and be sure to brush and floss meticulously.
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