Toothbrushing Time Is Important
Despite the fact that periodontal (gum) disease begins between the teeth, and flossing is the best way to keep those areas clean, toothbrushing remains the primary method of oral hygiene. However, people do not spend adequate time brushing. Average toothbrushing time is between 30 and 60 seconds.
Recent studies have shown that longer brushing times indeed result in more plaque removal, but even at 3 minutes, significant plaque typically remains at the gumline. Studies have also shown that brushing without toothpaste removes as much plaque as brushing with toothpaste. Therefore, you should pay close attention to brushing at the gumline, and make sure you use toothpaste with fluoride in it as the main reason to use toothpaste is to provide strength and cavity fighting properties to the teeth. Yes, it also gives you minty breath!
The proper amount of time to brush the teeth is at least 2 minutes, with much cleaner teeth resulting if you brush for 3 minutes. An electronic toothbrush with a timer may be a good idea.
Poor Oral Health Linked To COPD
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive disease making breathing difficult. It is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 12 million people are currently diagnosed with COPD and there are likely just as many more who are undiagnosed. Smoking is a significant risk factor for COPD.
Researchers now indicate that poor oral health is a risk factor for COPD. Major factors are plaque buildup, gingivitis and periodontitis. Careful screening by your dentist is essential.
Plaque linked to heart disease
Filed under: Dental Health, Health Related, Periodontal disease
A new article has linked subgingival bacteria (the main component of plaque) to heart disease. Cardiovascular diseases (CVD’s) are still the most common cause of death in industrialized countries. Known risk factors for CVD’s include smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and male gender. However, accumulating evidence points to a bacterial or viral cause, with the bacteria in plaque becoming prime suspects.
Excellent home care is always an excellent course of action, but having your dentist screen for plaque buildup and periodontal disease is vital. In the future, there may be further screening tests to determine which type of plaque you may have and how likely you are to be susceptible to heart disease.
How Is Periodontal Disease Treated?
Filed under: Dental Health, Health Related, Periodontal disease
The main goal of treatment is to control the infection. The number and types of treatment will vary, depending on the extent of the gum disease. Any type of treatment requires that the patient keep up good daily care at home. Additionally, modifying certain behaviors such as quitting tobacco use, might also be suggested as a way to improve treatment outcome.
The dentist, periodontist, or dental hygienist removes the plaque through a deep-cleaning method called scaling and root planing. Scaling means scraping off the tartar from above and below the gum line. Root planing gets rid of rough spots on the tooth root where germs gather, and helps remove bacteria that contribute to the disease.
Medications may be used with treatment that includes scaling and root planing, but they cannot always take the place of surgery. Depending on the severity of gum disease, the dentist or periodontist may still suggest surgical treatment. These are some medications that are currently used:
- Prescription antimicrobial mouthrinse
- Antiseptic ‘chip’
- Antibiotic gel
- Enzyme suppressant
Surgical treatments are also sometimes used to treat periodontal disease in areas that are not responding to non-surgical treatments. Surgical options include:
- Flap surgery
- Bone and tissue grafts
When considering any extensive dental or medical treatment options, you should think about getting a second opinion. Make sure you have had a complete explanation of the treatment plan and that you are comfortable with the dentist and office you are going with.
How Do I Know If I Have Periodontal Disease?
Symptoms are often not noticeable until the disease is advanced. They include:
- Bad breath that won’t go away
- Red, tender, or swollen gums
- Painful chewing
- Loose teeth
- Sensitive Teeth
Any of these symptoms may signal a serious problem which should be checked by a dentist. At your dental visit:
- The dentist will ask about your medical history to identify underlying conditions or risk factors (such as smoking) that may contribute to periodontal disease.
- The dentist or hygienist will examine your gums and note any signs of inflammation.
- The dentist or hygienist will use a tiny ruler called a ‘probe’ to check for periodontal pockets and to measure any pockets. In a healthy mouth the depth of these pockets is usually between 1 and 3 millimeters.
- The dentist or hygienist may take an x-ray to see if there is any bone loss.
- The dentist may refer you to a periodontist, a specialist who treats gum disease.
Who Gets Periodontal Disease And How Can I Prevent It?
People usually don’t show signs of gum disease until they are in their 30’s or 40’s. Men are more likely to have periodontal disease than women. Although teenagers rarely develop periodontitis, they can develop gingivitis, the milder form of gum disease. Most commonly, gum disease develops when plaque is allowed to build up along and under the gum line.
What can I do to prevent gum disease?
- Brush your teeth twice a day (with a ‘ADA’ approved fluoride toothpaste)
- Floss daily
- Visit the dentist routinely for a check-up and professional cleaning
- Don’t use tobacco products
More on this subject soon!
Risk Factors For Periodontal Disease
- Smoking. Smoking is one of the most significant risk factors associated with the development of periodontitis. Additionally, smoking can lower the chances of some treatments.
- Hormonal changes in girls/ women. These changes can make gums more sensitive and make it easier for gingivitis to develop.
- Diabetes. People with diabetes are at higher risk for developing infections, including periodontal disease.
- Stress. Research shows that stress can make it more difficult for our bodies to fight infection, including periodontal disease.
- Medications. Some drugs, such as antidepressants and some heart medicines, can affect oral health because they lessen the flow of saliva. (Saliva has a protective effect on teeth and gums.)
- Illnesses. Diseases like cancer or AIDS and their treatments can also affect the health of gums.
- Genetic susceptibility. Some people are more prone to severe periodontal disease than others.
Next- more on periodontal disease!
What Causes Periodontal Disease?
Our mouths are full of bacteria. These bacteria, along with mucus and other particles, constantly form a sticky, colorless “plaque” on teeth. Brushing and flossing help get rid of plaque. Plaque that is not removed can harden and form bacteria-harboring “tartar” that brushing does not clean. Only a professional cleaning by a dentist or hygienist can remove tartar.
Gingivits
The longer plaque and tartar are on teeth, the more harmful they become. The bacteria cause inflammation of the gums that is called “gingivitis.” In gingivitis, the gums become red, swollen and can bleed easily. Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease that can usually be reversed with daily brushing and flossing, and regular cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist. This form of gum disease does not include any loss of bone and tissue that hold teeth in place.
Periodontitis
When gingivitis is not treated, it can advance to “periodontitis” (which means “inflammation around the tooth.”) In periodontitis, gums pull away from the teeth and form “pockets” that are infected. The body’s immune system fights the bacteria as the plaque spreads and grows below the gum line. Bacterial toxins and the body’s enzymes fighting the infection actually start to break down the bone and connective tissue that hold teeth in place. If not treated, the bones, gums, and connective tissue that support the teeth are destroyed. The teeth may eventually become loose and have to be removed.
Next- Risk Factors
Periodontal disease
If you have been told you have periodontal (gum) disease, you’re not alone. An estimated 80 percent of American adults currently have some form of the disease.
Periodontal diseases range from simple gum inflammation to serious disease that results in major damage to the soft tissue and bone that support the teeth. In the worst cases, teeth are lost.
Gum disease is a threat to your oral health. Research is also pointing to possible health effects of periodontal diseases that go well beyone your mouth. Whether it is stopped, slowed, or gets worse depends a great deal on how well you care for your teeth and gums every day, from this point forward.
To come- What causes periodontal disease?