Gum Disease

About Gum Disease

The first stage of gum disease is called gingivitis. Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums that presents itself as bleeding, redness and sensitivity. Gingivitis is mainly caused by the bacteria of the dental plaque which are found on our teeth during the day, if they are not dislodged, they become tartar and create a persistent inflammation of the gums.

However, with proper brushing and flossing, gingivitis is reversible. Periodontitis is more complex than gingivitis. In fact, the latest studies show that periodontal disease is considered an inflammatory disease, just like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, etc.  This "inflammatory" nature means that there is an abnormal reaction of the immune system to the presence of bacteria in the mouth.

The toxins released by the bacteria on your teeth penetrate the gum tissue and instead of being handled normally by the white blood cells, they release inflammatory mediators that gradually destroy the collagen, the supporting bone around the teeth.

If no procedures are taken to control the bone loss, the disease can progress to infections, tooth mobility and even complete teeth loss. Bacteria from gum disease also initiate certain cardiovascular, pulmonary and neurological diseases, and can cause premature delivery and affect blood sugar control in diabetics.

Although your insurance may cover routine cleanings once a year, if you have gum disease frequent cleanings at 4 month intervals are recommended if you wish to keep your teeth. Different patients have different needs and deep cleaning more frequently may be what’s best for you. Furthermore, gum disease has been linked to a higher incidence of cancer, premature or low birth weight in pregnant patient, serious heart conditions and neurological illnesses. Gum health is key for global health.