Periodontal Disease

Periodontal Disease and Systemic Conditions

Periodontal Disease and Cardiovascular Disease
Periodontal Disease and Respiratory Disease
Periodontal Disease and Tobacco
Periodontal Disease and Diabetes
Women and Periodontal Health

Periodontal Disease and Cardiovascular Disease

You jog, eat right and get plenty of sleep. Are you healthy? You might need to check with your periodontist. A healthy mouth is an essential part of a healthy body. You may have read reports in the news about research linking periodontal infections and heart disease. The evidence is mounting that people with periodontal disease are at a higher risk for heart disease. The link comes from the bacteria that infect your gums. Cardiologists have known for a long time that bacteria can affect your heart and the mouth is a ready source of bacteria, especially if you have an untreated periodontal infection. While more research is needed to confirm just how the periodontal bacteria affect the heart, one possibility may be that the periodontal bacteria enter the blood through inflamed gums and cause small blood clots that contribute to clogged arteries. Another possibility is that the inflammation caused by periodontal infections contributes to the buildup of fatty deposits inside the heart arteries. The relationships are evolving as we learn more about this important link.

Periodontal Disease and Respiratory Disease

It is possible that if you have periodontal disease, you are at a higher risk for respiratory diseases. It is well established that people who smoke (see Periodontal Disease and Tobacco), are elderly or have other health problems that suppress the immune system are at increased risk of respiratory diseases such as pneumonia, bronchitis, emphysema and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Although more research is needed to determine how periodontal infections are linked to respiratory infections, we do know that the risk is increased if you have an untreated oral infection.

Periodontal Disease and Tobacco

You are probably familiar with the links between tobacco use and lung disease, cancer and heart disease.

Current studies have now linked periodontal disease with tobacco usage.These cases may be even more severe than those of non-users of tobacco and may occur in younger populations than non-users. There is a greater incidence of calculus formation on teeth, deeper pockets between gums & teeth as well as greater loss of the bone and fibers that hold teeth in your jawbone. In addition, your chance of developing oral cancer increases with the use of tobacco, including smokeless.

Chemicals in tobacco such as nicotine and tar, slow down healing and the predictability of success following periodontal treatment.

Problems caused by tobacco include:

Lung disease, heart disease, cancer, mouth sores, gum recession, loss of bone and teeth, bad breath, tooth staining, less success with periodontal treatment and with dental implants.

Quitting tobacco will reduce the chance of developing the above problems.

Periodontal Disease and Diabetes

Individuals suffering from diabetes , especially uncontrolled diabetics, have a higher risk of developing bacterial infections of the mouth. These infections may impair your ability to process insulin, resulting in greater difficulty with controlling your diabetes. Periodontal diseases will be more severe than those of a non-diabetic and treatment more difficult. However, well controlled diabetics have a lower incidence of gum infections.

Steps to prevent periodontal disease include daily brushing and flossing to remove plaque from your teeth and gums, regular dental visits for professional cleaning and regular periodontal evaluation. We recommend that diabetics have cleanings more often because they are prone to periodontal infections which may cause damage more rapidly than in a normal healthy person.. Your health professional must also be told of your history and the current status of your condition. And finally, you can help resist periodontal infection by maintaining control of your blood sugar levels.

Women and Periodontal Health

Throughout a woman’s life, hormonal changes affect tissue throughout the body.
Fluctuations in levels occur during puberty, pregnancy and menopause. At these times, the chance of periodontal disease may increase, requiring special care of your oral health.

Puberty

During puberty, there is increased production of sex hormones. These higher levels increase gum sensitivity and lead to greater irritations from plaque and food particles. The gums can become swollen, turn red and feel tender. With proper oral hygiene, there should be few/any complications once the hormones level off.

Menstruation

Similar symptons occasionally appear several days before menstruation. There can be bleeding of the gums, bright red swelling between the teeth and gum, or sores on the inside of the cheek. The symptoms clear up once the period has started. As the amount of sex hormones decrease, so do these problems.

Pregnancy

Your gums and teeth are also affected during pregnancy. Between the second and eighth month, your gums may also swell, bleed and become red or tender. Large lumps may appear as a reaction to local irritants. However, these growths are generally painless and not cancerous. They may require professional removal, but usually disappear after pregnancy.

Periodontal health should be part of your prenatal care. Any infections during pregnancy, including periodontal infections, can place a baby’s health at risk. Research has shown a link between periodontal infections in pregnant women and low-birth weight and premature babies.

The best way to prevent periodontic infections is to begin with healthy gums and continue to maintain your oral health with proper home care and careful periodontal monitoring. If you are planning to get pregnant, we recommend that you have a periodontal evaluation to eliminate any possible source of infection.

Oral contraceptives

Swelling, bleeding and tenderness of the gums may also occur when you are taking oral contraceptives, which are synthetic hormones.

You must mention any prescriptions you are taking, including oral contraceptives, prior to medical or dental treatment. This will help eliminate risk of drug interractions, such as antibiotics with oral contraceptives – where the effectiveness of the contraceptive can be lessened.

Menopause

Changes in the look and feel of your mouth may occur if you are menopausal or post-menopausal. They include feeling pain and burning in your gum tissue and salty, peppery or sour tastes.

Careful oral hygiene at home and professional cleaning may relieve these symptoms. There are also saliva substitutes to treat the effects of “dry mouth”.

Osteoporosis may also affect the jawbone and cause a greater loss of teeth. We recommend that you see your physician for a bone density scan if you are at risk for osteoporosis and have regular perioodontal evaluations to maintain bone levels around your teeth.