Periodontal Disease (also known as "periodontal infection", "gum disease" or "pyorrhea") is an ongoing bacterial infection in the gums and bone that support your teeth. This infection leads to an inflammation under the gums, and if not treated, this inflammation can destroy the bone around your teeth resulting in tooth loss. 75% of all adult tooth loss is due to periodontal inflammation.
How Does An "Ongoing Infection" Work?
When you were a child, did you ever get a bad scrape that got all red and swollen? That was caused by bacteria that got under your skin. The area then became infected and became inflamed. It may have lasted for days or weeks, but eventually the inflammation went away. The inflammation disappeared when your immune system conquered the bacteria and the infection healed.
With an ONGOING infection, your immune system never wins the battle and the infection grows. The infection keeps growing and the inflammation never goes away. Periodontal disease is an ongoing infection in the pockets around your teeth. Your immune system is losing the battle, and without treatment, it will get worse.
What Can Cause a "Burst" of Infection Activity?
People with periodontal disease have a weakened resistance to periodontal bacteria. This causes an ongoing gum infection that grows in "bursts" of activity. Each time it grows, more support for your teeth is lost. Some factors that can cause a "burst" of activity are:
- Poor oral hygiene
- Dental plaque
- Smoking
- Genetic factors
- Stress or tension
- Diet
- Age
- Illness
Getting Periodontal Infection Treated Right Away
When your infection has a burst of activity, or when there are signs that this is about to occur, your general dentist may recommend you see a periodontist.
Symptoms of Periodontal Infection
Periodontal infection is usually painless until it reaches an advanced stage. However, there are some symptoms which can indicate the presence of periodontal infection.
These include:
- Red or swollen gums
- Bleeding when brushing (pink toothbrush), or at other times
- Aching, itchy, sore or tender gums
- Receding gums (teeth beginning to look longer)
- Bad breath
- Any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
- Loose, separating or protruding teeth
- Spaces between teeth
If you notice any of the above warning signs of periodontal infection, please contact your general dentist and ask for a periodontal evaluation.
Important Note: Your gums can look and feel quite normal and yet deep pockets of periodontal infection can still be present. To be certain about any periodontal disease, ask your dentist or periodontist to examine your gums for signs of infection.
Who is a Periodontist?
Your general dentist is trained to detect and treat the early stages of periodontal disease. A periodontist is a dentist with advanced training in the diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease. Periodontists also provide other periodontal treatments, such as crown lengthening and dental implant placement (see Procedures Section ). Periodontics is one of the 8 specialties recognized by the American Dental Association.
Dental Consequences of Periodontal Disease
75% of all adult tooth loss is due to periodontal disease. When your gums and bone are damaged by periodontal infection, there is less support for your teeth. As this support disappears, your teeth first become loose and then can be lost. When your dentist recommends periodontal treatment, it is important to get started right away.
Natural Teeth Must Be Replaced
If the inflammation continues, you can start to lose your teeth, one at a time. These lost teeth will have to be replaced with dental work, such as:
- Bridges
- Dental implants
- Partial dentures
- Full dentures
Dentures
If tooth loss continues, it can lead to dentures. Many patients do not understand the full consequences of wearing dentures. There can be many problems with dentures including:
- Inability to eat certain foods.
- Inability to feel and taste foods.
- Lisping or clacking when speaking.
- Bad breath or smell.
- Constant pain or discomfort.
- Unnatural looking teeth.
- Self-consciousness and embarrassment.
- Looking old.
- Having to take your dentures out at night for soaking.
- Your spouse seeing you without teeth at night.
Medical Consequences of Periodontal Disease
"People think of gum disease in terms of their
teeth, but they don't think about the fact that gum disease
is a serious infection that can release bacteria into
the bloodstream"
~ Dr. Robert Genco, editor Journal of Periodontology
Periodontal disease can also lead to inflammation. This inflammatory bacteria enters your bloodstream and then travels throughout your body. It can affect other parts of your body and has been linked with a number of medical conditions. It is important to treat periodontal disease as quickly as possible to avoid the release of bacteria and inflammation into your bloodstream.
Heart Disease & Heart Attack
Recent studies have shown that people with periodontal disease are 2.7 times more likely to suffer a heart attack.Stroke
Studies have also shown that people with periodontal disease are 3 times more likely to suffer a stroke.Pre-Term Childbirth
Women with periodontal disease are 7-8 times more likely to give birth prematurely to a low birth-weight baby.Diabetes
Periodontal infection can raise blood sugar in diabetic patients. Periodontal treatment often results in a reduced need for insulin.Respiratory Disease
Periodontal infection in the mouth can be breathed in and increase the severity of such respiratory diseases as pneumonia, bronchitis and emphysema.
Periodontal Infection is a Medical Problem
Periodontal disease is no longer thought to be just a dental problem. Researchers are finding many correlations between periodontal infection and serious medical problems.
Your Infection Can Be Transmitted
Research using DNA testing has found that 80% of all periodontal disease comes from a parent or spouse. Patients with a periodontal disease can pass their infection along to their loved ones.
Some Patients are At Higher Risk
Patients in certain higher risk categories (see below) should pay particular attention to any signs of periodontal disease.
Those patients having a personal or family history of:
- Heart disease
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Premature childbirth
- Diabetes
- Respiratory diseases
Those patients having higher risk lifestyles, including:
- Chronic stress
- Smoker
- Sedentary and overweight
- Frequent colds, flu, etc.
Higher Risk Patients
If you have been told you have periodontal infection (or have some of its symptoms), it is vital that you seek evaluation and treatment.