About Care of Teeth and Gums
You know that brushing teeth every day can help avoid cavities. However, that is not enough to keep teeth healthy. You may be surprised to learn that most of the tooth loss in adults is not caused by tooth decay – rather it is caused by gum disease. Gums cover and protect the bone that supports the teeth. This bone is like a foundation that supports a building. If the foundation becomes weak the building can fall down. Similarly, if the gums are not cared for, the bone underneath can become infected and damage occurs. You can lose the tooth if the bone is not strong enough to hold the tooth in place, even if you have never had a cavity in that tooth.
Gum disease is mainly caused by plaque – a sticky colourless film of bacteria that is constantly forming on teeth. If plaque is allowed to build up on teeth and along the gumline, it can cause the gums to become infected and swollen.
Gum disease can affect one at any age. However, it more often affects adults. In fact about three out of four adults who are above the age of 35 have gum disease now or have had it in the past. The risk of gum disease increases in smokers, beetle/paan/tobacco chewers and in certain medical conditions. The usual symptoms are:-
- Gums are tender, swollen or red.
- Gums bleed while brushing or flossing.
- Bad breath or bad taste.
- Oozing pus from gumline or between teeth
- Teeth become loose and start drifting/separating
- Food getting stuck between teeth thus causing irritation.
- Difficulty while chewing food, and indigestion.
As and when, one has one or more of the symptoms mentioned above, a visit to your dentist is a must. In most cases, gum diseases are reversed or controlled if treatment is given at the early stage. The maintenance required for prevention of gum disease is a two-step process i.e. first brushing followed by cleaning in between the teeth by using a dental floss, inter-dental brush and rinsing. This will go a long way in maintaining a healthy mouth, and in turn your general health.
Gum Disease
The disease that affects the gums and other supporting structures of the teeth is commonly known as gum disease. The early stage of this disease is called Gingivitis. The symptoms are swelling of the gums that bleed easily. In more advanced stages, the disease affects the bones and other supporting structures and is commonly known as Pyorrhea. The symptoms are - the gums get separated from the teeth, pus discharge, bleeding, loose or shifting teeth bad breath and bad taste. Gum disease can occur at any age. 90% of the population above the age of 40 suffers from gum disease, and, this is the major cause for loss of teeth.
Causes: Gum disease starts with the formation of plaque. Plaque is a soft, sticky, colourless film of bacteria that constantly forms on the teeth. If the teeth are not cleaned properly, plaque builds up, and the bacteria produce toxins and enzymes that irritate the gums. They become red, swollen and sensitive and can bleed on provocation.
Treatment: Gum disease in its early stage is usually completely reversible. The Dentist will treat the disease by professional cleaning to remove plaque. Advanced gum disease may require surgery with augmentation of bone to save the tooth. Only very advanced stages are incurable.
Prevention
- Prevent the build-up of plaque by brushing and flossing twice a day, i.e. after breakfast and dinner. Rinse your mouth thoroughly with water after each meal.
- Eat a balanced diet, especially rich in dietary fibre. Fresh fruits and vegetables, fish and milk are recommended.
- Visit your dentist at least twice a year. He is trained to recognize and offer curative procedure
Dental Hygiene Protects far more than the Teeth
The common understanding about maintaining good oral hygiene is that it takes care of teeth and gums. However, it is important to know that good oral hygiene protects far more than that. Recent findings indicate that periodontal/gum disease may precipitate or aggravate health problems in other parts of the body. Perhaps, the emerging information about the relationship between periodontal disease and other serious and sometimes fatal ailments will motivate us to pay more attention to the health of gums and bones that support our teeth.
More than 400 species of bacteria live in the human mouth, that can infect the gums and underlying bone that supports the teeth. Gingivitis, an infection that sometimes make the gums susceptible to bleeding when they are irritated, is generally the first stage of periodontitis. Gradually, as infected gums pull away from the teeth, ever deepening pockets form, that allow the infection to spread and eat away the underlying bone, causing teeth to loosen in their sockets. Recent studies have also shown that teeth are not the only organs endangered by this oral disease. Infection in tissues of the mouth can easily spread into the bloodstream. The result could mean additional health risks for people whose health is already affected by other diseases, or have serious complications like heart disease. A recent study has revealed some frightening links between periodontal disease and such problems as heart diseasee, strokes, diabetes, pneumonia and premature births.
- Heart Disease: Studies have indicated that chronic oral infections foster the development of clogged arteries and blood clots. Several common oral bacteria can initiate the formation of blood clots and disrupt cardiac function.
- Diabetes: It is well established that periodontitis can make diabetes worse. Patient who is suffering from diabetes with severe periodontitis have greater difficulty in maintaining normal blood sugar level, as these patients have to depend on soft food containing more carbohydrates due to their inability to chew normal food. Treatment of periodontal disease often results in reduced need of insulin. It is therefore now recommended that periodontal inflammation be treated and eliminated in all patients with diabetes.
- Pneumonia: Several agents that cause pneumonia can thrive in infected oral tissues of patients with periodontal disease, and other respiratory diseases like chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Theses diseases may be worsened by oral infections when the invading bacteria are inhaled.
- Premature Births: Bacteria present in periodontal disease produce molecules that also prompt the release of labour- inducing substances like prostaglandin.
Therefore, in order to enjoy complete and total health, it is necessary to pay utmost attention to your gums and teeth. Healthy gums and teeth mean freedom from many other diseases.
