Tag: gum disease treatment

smoking and tooth loss

Can This Habit Make You Live Without Teeth?

Posted on | by mel | Leave a Comment on Can This Habit Make You Live Without Teeth?

Smoking causes gum disease leading to ultimate tooth loss

Smoking is still very popular today and it does not look like it will go away anytime soon. While the warnings of cancer have been touted for a long time, many people are not yet aware that another one of the dangers of smoking is that it will also cause them to lose their pretty smile. It will cause smokers to lose teeth. 

 

The Statistics

If you smoke, there is twice as much risk that you will lose more teeth than a non-smoker. Non-smokers tend to lose teeth at a rate of 1.3 teeth every 10 years. Smokers lose teeth faster – at a rate of 2.9 teeth every 10 years. This rate is true of men and women. Once an individual quits smoking, the risk of losing teeth will decrease. 

 

The Reason

Teeth are lost as a result of smoking because of the effect that nicotine has on the gums. It is believed that nicotine reduces the flow of blood into the gums by restricting the blood vessels. This affects the gums in two ways. First, it means that the gums will receive less oxygen; and secondly, it means that as a result, the gums will also receive fewer nutrients. 

With less oxygen and nutrients, your gum’s immune system cannot be as effective. In fact, the cells in the gums will start dying off causing them to recede. The weakened immune system cannot fight off infection as effectively, which means that when you receive any dental treatment or other injuries to the gums that it will take longer to heal. You also become much more susceptible to gum disease. 

 

Gum Disease

Gum disease starts by irritation of the gums from the bacteria naturally found in your mouth and from the acid it produces. The bacteria get into the gums and it starts an immune reaction. The only two symptoms that will be seen at first are inflamed gums and gums that bleed. This is gingivitis.

With the lower resistance from your immune system, the gum disease will quickly become periodontitis. Before long the immune system starts to attack your gums, the ligaments that support your teeth, and your jawbone. Periodontitis will spread fast and become worse than in a non-smoker. 

As the attack continues, your teeth will start to become loose. Gum disease is largely painless until your teeth start to get loose. At that point, it will be painful to bite down with that tooth. 

 

Men vs. Women

Men who smoke are typically going to lose teeth faster than women. Men who smoke are 3.6 times more likely to experience tooth loss, but women are 2.5 times more likely to lose teeth. 

 

Hiding Gum Disease

One of the gum disease symptoms is bleeding of the gums. Since smoking reduces blood flow, you may not notice early on that you have gum disease. This will enable it to do more damage to your gums and jawbone.

Your dentist may also not notice that you have gum disease. This could lead the dentist to not realize how serious the problem is, which may mean that treatment may not be given – leading to worse problems and greater tooth loss. 

 

Other Potential Risks

In recent years, researchers have discovered that there is yet another nasty side to gum disease. They have found that the damage from gum disease can affect all of your organs. Once the bacteria and inflammation get into your gums, it has access to your bloodstream. Now it can go anywhere in your body. 

As it travels through your bloodstream, it tends to build up in your blood vessels and various organs. This buildup can cause many serious illnesses, including cardiovascular disease, stroke, heart attacks, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, dementia, several types of cancer, and many more. 

 

Cancer Risk

Another one of the risks of smoking is that of developing oral cancer. The weakened immune system cannot fight cancer cells as easily as they would in a healthy mouth, possibly leading to oral cancer. This type of cancer normally spreads fast and they are not always easily detected. Early detection is important to increased survivability rates. 

 

Reversing the Risk

Studies have discovered that the more you smoke, the more teeth you are going to lose. Those who smoke heavily are going to lose more teeth than those people who smoke less. Once you stop smoking, your risk can decrease rather fast, possibly even reducing your risk to the same level as someone who never smoked – but reaching that level could take ten years. 

 

If you are a smoker and are looking for gum disease treatment for periodontitis, as well as help with cavities, you can get help from Champion Dental Clinic, Farmers Branch, Texas 

severe periodontics dfw texas

The Nitty-Gritty of Gum Disease!

Posted on | by mel | Leave a Comment on The Nitty-Gritty of Gum Disease!

Your gum disease is incredibly more complex than you think

Many people tend to think of gum disease as bleeding gums after brushing or flossing. They do not realize that this symptom indicates that a potentially terrible disease is already present in their gums. Others have learned the hard way that letting this disease go untreated leads to severely damaged gums, bone loss in the jaw, and lost teeth. Periodontitis remains the number one reason Americans are losing their teeth today. 

 

What Is Periodontal Disease?

The initial stages of gum disease are called gingivitis. While in this stage, the symptoms are rather mild, but damage may be occurring elsewhere. Along with the bacteria that cause gum disease, inflammation is occurring at the same time. A strong connection has been found to occur between the inflammation caused by the bacteria that cause gum disease, and major health issues. 

 

Complications of Periodontal Disease

The health issues caused by the inflammation from periodontal disease include cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, problems with pregnancy, and many more. Having this gum disease raises your risk of cardiovascular disease by 19 percent, but it is increased to 44 percent for those 65 or older. People with diabetes have an increased mortality risk that is 3.2 times greater than those without the disease. 

 

How Periodontal Disease Works

The bacteria that produce gum disease are naturally found in the mouth. In a healthy mouth, they are kept in control by the many good bacteria that is also present. When sugar or carbs are introduced, the bad bacteria produce an acid. The presence of the acid and the inflammation caused by it leads to a natural reaction from the immune system. 

The acid and inflammation, as well as the various components of the immune system, ultimately begin to work together to bring about the destruction that periodontal disease is known for. The white blood cells start coming to the site because of signaling from the cytokines, which are proteins secreted by cells notifying the immune system of inflammation. 

One particular type of white blood cells, called neutrophils, is the main kind of white blood cells in the human body. Cytokines signal for them to come to the site of inflammation. The neutrophils begin their work of attempting to curb the harmful bacteria and other agents seek to curb the inflammation. 

During the process of attempting to curb the inflammation, however, some cells stop fulfilling their normal function – the fibroplasts, endothelial cells, and the epithelial cells. In the presence of certain other compounds and hormones, they are turned off. The cells that provide materials to maintain and strengthen the matrix that supports your gums and teeth cease to function, bringing about the faster destruction of it. Once the source of new structural material is turned off, the inflammation and the bacteria causing gum disease can gain free access to the site, bringing in many more reinforcements. 

 

The Complexity of Periodontal Disease

There are many aspects of periodontal disease that are still not understood. The disease is incredibly complex and a number of factors remain unknown. Why some things occur may be slightly different for each individual. Additional factors include the strength of their immune system, their genes, and the types of bacteria involved.

This means that each person with this gum disease needs to be evaluated by a periodontist so that individualized treatment can be given. It may require genetic testing of the oral bacteria to determine which bacteria are involved, and some lifestyle changes may also be strongly recommended. Diabetes, for instance, needs to be controlled in order to control gum disease. 

 

Periodontal Disease Treatment

Once periodontal disease has started, pockets have started to form on the gums. These provide hiding places for the bacteria that are out of reach of your toothbrush and floss. A dentist will be needed to diagnose the situation and provide treatment for it. There are several periodontal disease stages which indicate the amount of damage and more than one type of treatment may be necessary. A periodontist is necessary when serious damage has occurred.

 

Gum Disease Prevention

The best way to beat gum disease, particularly periodontal disease, is to prevent it from occurring at all. You can do this by brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing – preferably before you go to bed. If you have gingivitis, this will usually remove it, too, but you will need to keep up the habit to ensure it does not return. 

 

laser treatment for gum disease

Laser Treatment for Gum Pockets

Posted on | by mel | Leave a Comment on Laser Treatment for Gum Pockets

The New Laser Treatment Is Nearly Pain-Free!

When you have pockets forming on your gums, you already have a serious form of gum disease called periodontitis. This gum disease is the major reason for tooth loss today. The only way to stop the problem and prevent it from becoming worse and losing teeth is to get periodontal treatment. Choosing the new laser treatment to eliminate gum pockets is fast and nearly painless. 

 

About Gum Pockets

There are more than 500 different types of bacteria that exist naturally in your mouth. Some of them will produce cavities and gum disease because they produce acid whenever they consume sugar. If you do not maintain good oral care by brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing, this bacteria will cause gum disease; first gingivitis, then it becomes periodontitis. 

As the gum disease progresses and becomes periodontitis, the bacteria will hide in the tartar at your gum line. Tartar is hardened plaque. It irritates your gums, gets into them, and an immune reaction is started that will not stop unless treated by a dentist. 

This gum infection will produce the pockets that form on your gums, and you will notice that your gums are inflamed and that they are pulling away from your teeth. This makes your teeth look longer and the roots of your teeth become exposed. 

The bacteria and inflammation start to deteriorate your gums, the ligaments that support your teeth, and your jawbone. At the same time, the bacteria and inflammation have entered your bloodstream. Once there, it is circulating throughout your body and causing buildups in your blood vessels and organs. In recent years, researchers have discovered that these buildups often lead to serious health problems such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, heart attacks, cancer, diabetes, dementia, and many more. 

 

Traditional Treatment for Gum Pockets

The traditional way that dentists would treat this problem was to cut open the pockets on the gums, manually scrape out the bacteria and inflammation, smooth out the rough spots on the teeth, and then stitch the gums closely to the teeth. This procedure was usually conducted while the patient was under general anesthesia – completely unconscious. Sometimes, gum grafting occurred at the same time. This process would usually require several sessions at the dentist’s office and recovery could take two to four weeks – while in considerable pain. 

 

Laser Treatment 

The development of lasers for the dentist’s office has resulted in a laser that makes a huge difference in the method of periodontal treatment. It literally makes every aspect better – including a tremendous reduction in treatment and recovery time. 

Some of the benefits of laser treatment include:

  • No scalpel – Although diseased tissue is removed, it is done without a scalpel. The laser is selective on what tissue is removed because it can distinguish between healthy and unhealthy tissue, and it only destroys the unhealthy. This enables this process to save more healthy tissue – without the need for sutures. 
  • Less pain – There is almost no pain at all with this procedure. The laser seals the nerves instantly. Patients may need a local anesthetic, but there is no need for prescription painkillers after the treatment. There is also less swelling.
  • More Bacteria Destroyed – Instead of having to physically remove the bacteria with hand tools, a very thin fiber-optic cable is inserted into the gum pockets. This will kill up to 99 percent of the harmful bacteria. An ultrasonic device will be used afterward to smooth the tooth roots to help prevent reattachment of the bacteria. After this step is completed, the periodontist will use the laser to create a seal between the teeth and the gums. This attaches the gums to the teeth closely and prevents bacteria from reentering. It also enables faster healing.
  • Faster Recovery – This method of gum disease treatment provides a much faster recovery than the traditional method. Instead of having to wait for days to go back to work, you will likely need only 24 hours to recover – but many patients go back to work as soon as the procedure is completed. 
  • Reduces Risk of Infection – Lasers are able to destroy bacteria that are near the site. This greatly reduces the likelihood of infection and enables faster healing. 
  • Speeds Healing – Laser light actually stimulates bone and gum cells to regenerate faster. This laser therapy reduces the healing time and encourages new connective tissues to the teeth, new bone and collagen. 

 

The LANAP Laser

The one laser that is used to treat gum pockets is called LANAP for short, which stands for Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure. It has been approved by the FDA just for this procedure.

 

When your gums are pulling away from your teeth and receding, you will likely have pockets on your gums. You cannot treat this condition yourself and it will continue to get worse, but laser treatment can help eradicate the problem. Champion Dental Clinic Board Certified Periodontists uses the LANAP laser treatment for gum pockets and helps to stop further gum decay. Most dental health insurance plans are accepted. For a consultation or more information about periodontal treatment, you can contact us at 214-747-0763 today

5 dental symptoms not to ignore farmers branch champion dental clinic best dentist dallas fortworth texas

Which 5 Dental Symptoms You Should Never Ignore?

Posted on | by mel | Leave a Comment on Which 5 Dental Symptoms You Should Never Ignore?

It could cost you more than you think

5 dental symptoms not to ignore farmers branch champion dental clinic best dentist dallas fortworth texas

When you have dental symptoms that are not normal, it indicates that there is a potential problem. The problem may not be something to get concerned about, but, on the other hand, it could indicate a major threat to your health. It is not unusual for sores and other problems to occur in the mouth, but some indicate the need to see a dentist soon. 

 

Oral Cancer

Every year, oral cancer continues to rise. This year, more than 51,000 people will be diagnosed with it. This cancer typically spreads fast, making the need for early detection very important. 

Oral cancer is often without any pain in the early stages. This makes it hard for someone to know that they have it unless they are watching for symptoms, but a dentist can better detect them. The symptoms may also occur in the throat and may be very difficult to see. 

Oral cancer symptoms may include red or white patches in the mouth or lumps in the neck or throat area. Other sores may also become cancerous. Any sore that has not healed within two weeks should be seen by a dentist. A dentist is trained to recognize cancer and other diseases, and can also take initial biopsies. 

 

Pain in a Tooth

When you have strong pain in a tooth, it is time to see a dentist. Most likely, you already have made an appointment because the pain is almost unbearable and you want relief. If the tooth really hurts, you may also have inflamed gums and pus at the gum line. This could be an abscessed tooth.

An abscessed tooth is a serious problem. The inflammation can easily spread, especially if it is in your upper jaw, into your face and even your brain. If this happens, it could be fatal. Most likely, it will mean that a root canal is needed. 

 

Loose Teeth

If one or more of your teeth have become loose lately, you need to see a dentist quickly. This is a symptom of advanced periodontitis, but other things can cause it as well. Gum disease is often nearly painless until it reaches the advanced stages, and you will most likely experience pain when you try to bite down on those loose teeth. 

Bleeding gums are another symptom of gum disease. You will also likely have inflamed gums and pus along the gum line. Your gums will also have started receding, and you will likely have chronic bad breath. 

Periodontitis is caused by an immune reaction to bacteria invading your gums. The immune reaction becomes an autoimmune reaction and it starts attacking your gums, the ligaments that support your teeth, and your jawbone. 

Once your teeth become loose, it is certainly time to visit your dentist. Special gum disease treatment is needed to remove the bacteria. The longer you wait, the greater the damage. In order to remove the bacteria and inflammation, the dentist will need to give you antibiotics and may need to perform a non-surgical procedure called scaling and root planing – which removes the bacteria from the pockets that have formed on your gums. 

Surgical procedures may also be needed to replace missing gum tissue. In order to replace missing teeth, bone and gum grafts may be necessary. 

 

Dry Mouth

Having a dry mouth may not seem much like one of the dental problems you should watch for, but it really is. This problem can be serious if you are concerned about keeping your teeth looking good. 

Your saliva helps keep the bacteria and acid in your mouth under control. Whenever some of the bacteria come in contact with sugar, it produces acid. The acid is what causes cavities. Without enough saliva, there is more bacteria and acid in your mouth, which leads to developing sensitive teeth and cavities sooner. It will also help to promote gum disease.

Staying hydrated will help you produce more saliva, and so will chewing sugarless gum. Stay away from drinks that are considered diuretics, which include coffee, tea, alcohol, and more. Since some medications can also cause it, you may need to talk to your doctor about changing medicines.

 

Tooth Sensitivity

When a tooth becomes sensitive, it is because the enamel has become thin. Because of the thin enamel, the food particles, spices, and hot or cold temperatures can penetrate it and get to the nerve inside the tooth. This causes pain. 

The pain is an indication that a cavity is on the way. It already needs to be repaired. In some cases, tooth sensitivity may result from some dental treatments, but it will usually go away after a few days. 

 

If you have any of the above dental symptoms, you can get dental treatment for all of them from Champion Dental Clinic, Farmers Branch, TX. We regularly treats dental problems ranging from oral cancer to periodontitis – and much more. 

Periodontitis gum disease farmers branch texas champion dental clinic

What Is Periodontal Disease?

Posted on | by mel | Leave a Comment on What Is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal Disease- The ‘Silent Killer’

Periodontitis gum disease farmers branch texas champion dental clinic

Gum disease is usually rather painless, but it can cause serious damage in several ways. The milder form, called gingivitis, is generally not much of a problem to your teeth and gums. Periodontal disease is an entirely different story and it needs to be brought under control quickly to avoid extensive damage to the gums, teeth, and jawbone. 

Once periodontal disease gets started, it will require a dentist to get rid of it. The CDC believes that as many as 50 percent of adults 30 or older have what is called advanced periodontal disease. This is equal to more than 64 million Americans. 

 

What are the causes and symptoms of periodontal disease?

Although there are several factors that help in the development of gum disease, both gingivitis and periodontal disease have the same root cause – bacteria. This bad bacterium is always in your mouth, but it is generally controlled in a healthy mouth. It feeds on sugar, and when it does, it produces an acid. The acid causes cavities and inflammation of the gums.

Over time, if the bad bacteria are allowed to multiply, pockets in the gums will develop and colonies of these bacteria will form inside of them. As it continues to produce acid, it begins to erode the gums, the tissues that support the teeth, and the jawbone underneath. The teeth will begin to get loose and may fall out. 

There are several causes of periodontal disease, but the primary one is simply not keeping the bacteria away from your teeth. This means that you most likely are not keeping up with brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing. 

Other risk factors usually play on the primary one, but they can act alone. The other factors include:

  • Diabetes – gum disease is hard to control with diabetes. They go hand-in-hand – you cannot control one without controlling the other, too. 
  • Medications – some medications will promote periodontitis, but those that cause dry mouth are a special problem. 
  • Hormonal changes in women – including pregnancy.
  • Some illnesses.
  • Smoking – or using any kind of tobacco.
  • Obesity
  • Insufficient nutrition
  • Genetics – about one-third of Americans have the gene, but it does not mean you will get gum disease. If you do, however, it is apt to be difficult to control. 

Several symptoms will reveal the presence of gum disease and periodontal disease. The symptoms of gingivitis include infected gums and bleeding gums. If allowed to continue, gingivitis develops more serious symptoms and becomes periodontitis, with symptoms that include:

  • Receding gums
  • Bad breath that will not go away
  • Gums pulling away from your teeth
  • Inflamed gums
  • Pus forming along the gum line
  • Painful chewing
  • Loose teeth.
  • Spaces developing between your teeth

 

Recent research has shown that having any kind of gum disease can seriously affect your overall health. Periodontal disease causes inflammation that is now believed to spread throughout the body from the gums, causing such problems as cardiovascular disease, heart attack, stroke, diabetes, and many more. 

 

Different Types of Periodontal Disease

There are three different types of periodontitis. They all need treatment. 

  • Chronic Periodontitis – It is the most common kind and it affects mostly adults. It causes slow deterioration, but it may get better or worse at times.
  • Aggressive Periodontitis – This is a rare form but it usually starts during childhood. It is usually genetic and the destruction occurs rapidly. 
  • Necrotizing Periodontal Disease – It involves the death of gum tissue, the ligaments that support the teeth, and the bone, causing severe infection. Most people that get it are immune system compromised.

 

How to Prevent Periodontal Disease

Preventing periodontal disease in most cases is rather simple. Since periodontal disease starts out as gingivitis, generally all that is needed to remove it is to brush twice a day and floss. This will take care of it in most cases. 

Other things that you can do are to quit smoking, eat healthy foods to strengthen your gums immune system, consume less sugary foods, and visit the dentist to keep an eye on gum disease if it develops. 

 

Treatments available for periodontal disease

Several treatments are available for periodontal disease. The dentist will need to tell you which periodontal treatments are needed. They include:

  • Scaling and rootplaning – the dentist will open the pockets and remove the bacteria. Rough surfaces on teeth will be smoothed out.
  • Medications – different types of medicines may be inserted into the gum pockets to destroy the bacteria. They may include antibiotics and enzyme suppressants. 
  • Flap surgery – The gums are lifted back and then cleaned out. When completed, they are sutured to reduce pocket depth.
  • Bone and tissue grafts – These grafts may be necessary to replace destroyed tissue and to restore a more normal appearance. Gum grafts may be performed with a laser. 

 

Cost of Periodontal Treatment

The cost of getting periodontal disease treatment depends on the severity of the disease and how many appointments are needed. More serious periodontal disease needs to be treated by a specialist – a periodontist. A simpler treatment such as scaling and root planing will cost between $140 and $210. The cost for more severe problems will cost around $10,000. Laser treatment will cost about $1,000 per quadrant. 

 

If you need periodontal disease treatment and live in the Farmers Branch TX area, you can get it from Champion Dental clinic. In addition to gum disease treatment, we also offer cosmetic dentistry to restore your smile. For more information about our expert dental services, or to set up an appointment, visit our dental website 

 

why gums recede dfw tx

Why Your Gums Are Receding

Posted on | by mel | 7 Comments on Why Your Gums Are Receding

The real reasons that you may not even think of

why gums recede dfw tx

When you have receding gums, it is often an indication that there is a problem. It reveals that your gums are not as healthy as they should be, and your oral health is declining. Healthy gums are necessary to help protect your teeth.

 

Symptoms of Receding Gums

Looking over your gums, there are some easy-to-spot symptoms that will help you know whether or not they are healthy. Some symptoms that reveal that your gums are in the early stages of gum disease include:

  • Bleeding gums 
  • Bright Red Gums
  • Bad Breath
  • Swollen gums
  • Increased sensitivity

 

Why You Should Stop Gum Decay

A receding gum line is often just the early steps to periodontitis. Unless it is treated and action is taken to stop it, it will gradually become worse. With the right conditions, it can quickly become serious. 

Gum decay is caused by bacteria in the mouth that is out of control. Normally, the good bacteria, a healthy diet, and saliva keep it under control. As the bad bacterium multiplies, it produces an acid that starts to work on the gums and teeth. Brushing and flossing your teeth regularly can remove the plaque (the bad bacteria) that forms on your teeth.

Without the proper dental care, pockets will begin to form on your gums before long. This provides the perfect hiding place for the bacteria to grow colonies – and produce more acid. This is called periodontitis. As the pockets become larger, it starts to break down the structures that hold your teeth in place, and the bone, and your teeth start to become loose and will eventually fall out. 

As your gums recede, it exposes the roots of your teeth. Prior to receding, the gums offered some protection for the roots, but as they recede, cavities can form on them and they become more sensitive. 

 

Inflammation and Other Disease

Researchers now know that the inflammation caused by gum disease is behind many potentially serious health problems. It can lead to heart disease, diabetes, respiratory disease, a stroke, and many more.

 

Causes of Receding Gums

Before you can start to treat gum disease, you need to know what may be the cause of it. Some causes include:

  • Poor care of your teeth – A lack of regularly brushing your teeth and flossing will lead to gum disease. 
  • Grinding your teeth – If you grind your teeth (bruxism), you have an increased chance of developing gum disease. 
  • Brushing too hard – Brushing vigorously can wear away your gums, leading to gum recession. Using a toothbrush that has hard bristles can do the same thing. 
  • A gum injury – Trauma to your teeth can also help promote gum disease. 
  • Hormonal changes – Changes in the level of female hormones can help gums to be more likely to develop a disease of the gums. 
  • Illnesses – Various diseases can lead to the faster growth of the bacteria that causes gum disease. This includes diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS, and leukemia.
  • Genetics – It is possible that your genes may actually make you inclined to gum disease. WebMd says that as much as 30 percent of the population may be in this category, and how well you take care of your teeth may not prevent it.
  • Misaligned teeth – When your teeth are not aligned properly, it makes cleaning them more difficult. This often results in leaving food particles between your teeth – allowing bacteria to multiply and cause decay. 
  • Poor nutrition – Vitamins and minerals are necessary for the strengthening of your teeth and gums. Eating or drinking a lot of sugary foods provides food for the bacteria that causes gum disease. 
  • Obesity – Being overweight makes it harder to control gum disease.
  • Medications – Some medications will cause dry mouth, which encourages bacterial growth.
  • Drug abuse – Drug abuse generally promotes gum disease because the acids in them are strong, and those on drugs rarely take care of their teeth. 

 

Types of Gum Treatment

If you have a mild case of gingivitis, you can probably get rid of it by brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing. You will need to do it regularly to succeed.

If you already have pockets forming along the gum line, you will likely need to see a dentist for treatment. Periodontal treatment will be needed to stop it and repair the damage. Remedies include:

  • Non-surgical: medications, scaling and root planing.
  • Surgical: flap reduction surgery, gum grafting, soft tissue grafts, and bone grafting.

 

Preventing Receding Gums

The best way to prevent your gums from receding is to carry out a regular program of brushing for about two minutes at a time – twice a day, and flossing. This will usually eliminate the early stages of gum infection. 

If you are staying in and around Farmers branch , do call our clinic Champion Dental at 214-747-0763 for more information on gum disease treatment, and treatment for receding gums

How Gum Disease Can Affect Your Lungs

Posted on | by mel | 3 Comments on How Gum Disease Can Affect Your Lungs

The Surprising Connection Between Your Mouth and Respiratory Diseases

It may be difficult to realize that there is a connection between something like gum disease and what happens in your lungs. Gum disease is made up of very small bacteria but it can have a powerful and negative influence on your lungs and your body as a whole. 

About Gum Disease

Gum disease is caused by certain bacteria (Porphyromonas gingivalis) normally found in your mouth that gets out of control when an imbalance of some kind occurs. In a healthy mouth, the more than 500 other kinds of bacteria will usually keep it under control. Things like a lack of proper oral care, consuming a lot of sugary products, and smoking can produce the imbalance and promote gum disease. 

The bacteria irritate the gums because it produces acid whenever you consume sugar or carbs. After a while, you will see inflammation on your gums and they may bleed when you brush or floss them. This is the first stage of gum disease called gingivitis. By brushing twice a day and flossing, you can usually eliminate it at this stage. 

 

How Gum Disease Progresses

If you do not eliminate it soon, it will progress to become periodontitis. Once it has reached this stage, you cannot remove it. You will need to contact a dentist for help and it will continue to get worse. 

After it gets into your gums – through the tartar on your teeth, it also has gained access to your bloodstream. Everywhere the bacteria travels, it will trigger an immune response. Along with your platelets, it becomes stuck to the walls of your blood vessels and in your organs. This narrows the vessels, restricting the flow of blood, oxygen, and nutrients to your lungs.

 

Gum disease

 

How Bacteria Gets Into the Lungs

The harmful bacteria are in your mouth all the time. It is always continuing to multiply, and as it does, it forms plaque on your teeth. Saliva will normally help to wash it off your teeth and gums. As the bacteria become out of balance and there are more of them, they can be inhaled on drops of saliva.

In a healthy person, your lungs can usually defend themselves against invaders from this type of bacteria. In people who are not healthy, or who have a weak immune system, it can cause serious problems. It can make existing problems, such as asthma and COPD worse. It can also cause pneumonia, which could be fatal in someone with a weak immune system.  

One recent study involved 200 participants that were between 20 and 60 and had at least 20 natural teeth. Half of them were in a hospital because of respiratory illnesses that included COPD, pneumonia, and bronchitis. The rest of the participants were healthy and did not have any background history of respiratory illness. The study found that the hospitalized group all had worse periodontal disease than the healthy group. 

 

Pneumonia

One study conducted at the Yale University School of Medicine discovered that changes in the oral bacteria occurred before pneumonia developed. This connection indicates that there is a possibility that brushing your teeth and flossing more often may be able to reduce the likelihood of getting pneumonia. Knowing this can be very valuable to help protect the health of seniors and young children. It also helps to know that you may be able to ensure their health in a rather simple way. 

 

COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a lung disease that currently has no cure. It is presently the third most prevalent cause of death in the United States. It is likely that gum disease is also behind the formation of this disease. When you have this disease, an increase of the harmful bacteria in gum disease can cause flare-ups. If you have periodontal disease and you are in contact with other lung irritants, such as from smoking or smog, it can increase your risk of COPD. 

 

Why Dentures May Be a Problem

If dentures are not cleaned regularly, the harmful bacteria can also build upon them, and then it can be breathed into your lungs. Dentures should be cleaned daily to reduce the bacteria and to keep your breath fresh. 

 

Seniors at Greatest Risk

Seniors living in a nursing home or other close facility such as long-term care institutions are at a greater risk of developing lung problems. This is especially true if oral health is not maintained. Health issues such as pneumonia are also contagious, making this environment a potential health risk. 

senior citizen gum disease

To get more information about gum disease or periodontal treatment, you can contact Champion Dental clinic office at (214) 747 0763 and book a free consultation.