How to Stop Gum Disease: Why You Should Brush Twice A Day

What is gum disease?

Gum disease is a pretty common occurrence, also known as periodontitis. It mostly affects the gum and the bone surrounding the teeth. Periodontitis infects the gum tissue and bone causing inflammation (Nordqvist & Frank, 2018). And according to a 2012 study, 47% of adults over 30 have gum disease, and that number grows the older people get (Eke, Dye, Wei, Thornton-Evans, & Genco, 2012). It’s a serious problem.

Reading this, you might think, “Gum disease doesn’t seem to be that big of a deal. I mean, how much damage can it really do?” On the surface, it may seem pretty logical to think that way, but below several reasons are listed why gum disease is serious.

Why gum disease needs to be treated

1. Tooth Loss: Gum disease causes the gums around the teeth to recede. The gums are important, because they hold the teeth in place. If gum disease goes untreated, the gums continue to recede, leaving little to hold the teeth in place. This in turn makes the teeth loose and prone to fall out. (Nordqvist & Frank, 2018).
2. Infections: Receding gums create more problems than loose teeth; tiny pockets around the teeth grow as the gums recede where bacteria can grow and thrive. And the pockets grow bigger too, allowing for the bacteria there to flourish and making a prime environment for infections (Nordqvist  & Frank, 2018).
3. Bone Loss: Unfortunately, untreated periodontal disease can result in tooth loss, which in turn can cause bone loss in the jaw (Nordqvist & Frank, 2018).
4. Other health problems: The 2012 (Eke, Dye, Wei, Thornton-Evans, & Genco) study also shows that that gum disease can be connected to other chronic  illnesses, such as diabetes and heart disease (American Academy of Periodontology, 2012).

Who is at the highest risk for periodontitis?

People who are at the highest risk for gum disease include:

1. Adults aged 65 years or older
2. Adults who didn’t graduate high school
3. Those living under the poverty level
4. Current smokers
5. Diabetics
6. Women experiencing hormonal changes (i.e. menopause)
7. Those who may have a family history of gum disease
8. Etc.

(Eke, Dye, Wei, Thornton-Evans, & Genco, 2012) (National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, 2018)

These risk factors don’t automatically lead to gum disease. The 2012 study just shows that these are the factors that make someone at a higher risk for periodontitis.

What does gum disease look like?

If you’re worried that you might have periodontal disease, here are some signs to watch out for:

1. Red or magenta gums
2. Bleeding gums
3. Loose teeth
4. Pus
5. Receding gums
6. Painful chewing
7. Persistent bad breath

“Chronic periodontitis”by Dr Parveen Chopra is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

Will gum disease go away?

Well..yes and no. The answer is a bit complicated. If it’s caught early enough, it can be treated. The patient will need to have professional cleanings done by a dental hygienist and improve his/her oral hygiene at home, which means diligently flossing daily and brushing teeth twice a day. However, if the disease spreads to the bone, gum disease will not go away. It’s in this stage the patient is at a high risk for tooth loss and bone loss (Horne, Davis, & Bautista). It’s better just not to risk it and see a dentist if you think you may have it.

How to treat periodontitis

1. Scaling and Root Planing: Periodontal disease can really only be treated by a dental hygienist in the office, because the hardened tartar cannot be removed with a toothbrush (National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, 2018). The bacteria on the teeth has created such a thick film that it needs the big guns to remove it. One of the treatments that a dental hygienist might use is called scaling and root planing (Horne, Bautista, & Davis). 
2. Tooth Extraction: Sometimes, it gets to a point where tooth loss is inevitable. It’s just better to remove the teeth at a certain point.
3. Periodontist: In severe cases, Dr. McVey may refer a patient to a periodontist. Periodontists have gone through specialized training to treat diseases specifically related to the gums and bone surrounding the teeth (Horne, Bautista, & Davis). While a general dentist, like Dr. McVey, can treat most dental needs, a periodontist has more expertise to treat periodontal diseases.
4. Regular dental appointments: If you really want to prevent gum disease, it’s best to get regular dental checkups. Dr. McClain, who helped conduct the research for the “Prevalence of Periodontitis in Adults in the United States” stated that their research shows how important the treatment of gum disease really is: “‘To really know if you have periodontal disease, a dental professional must examine each tooth above and below the gum line. A visual examination alone, even by the most qualified dentist, is not enough. These findings suggest that many more people have periodontal disease than previously thought, so it is more important than ever to receive a comprehensive periodontal evaluation from your dental professional every year’” (Eke, Dye, Wei, Thornton-Evans, & Genco, 2012, as cited in American Academy of Periodontology, 2012). So in layman’s terms, this just means that the best prevention is getting regular dental checkups, at least once a year, but Dr. McVey encourages appointments every 6 months or so.

Home remedies to prevent gum disease are pretty simple. They’re really about forming good oral health habits:

1. Brushing for 2 minutes twice a day, every day
2. Flossing once a day
3. Avoiding highly acidic and sugary foods
4. Seeing the dentist regularly
5. Quitting smoking and/or chewing tobacco
6. Swishing salt water rinses
7. Getting a professional cleaning twice a year

What should you do?

If you think you may have gum disease, we can help you. Give us a call at (620) 287-0978 to schedule an appointment. We’ll go over your dental habits, what you eat, your oral health history, and more. From there, we can move forward and treat it.

References:

1. American Academy of Periodontology. (2012, September 04). CDC: HALF OF AMERICAN ADULTS HAVE PERIODONTAL DISEASE. Retrieved May 18, 2019, from https://www.perio.org/consumer/cdc-study.htm#OverlayWrapper/0/
2. Eke, P., Dye, B., Wei, L., Thornton-Evans, G., & Genco, R. (2012). Prevalence of Periodontitis in Adults in the United States: 2009 and 2010. Journal of Dental Research, 91(10), 914-920. doi:10.1177/0022034512457373
3. Horne, S. B., & Bautista, D. S. (n.d.). Gum Disease Types, Home Remedies, Stages, Treatment & Symptoms (C. P. Davis, Ed.). Retrieved May 18, 2019, from https://www.medicinenet.com/gum_disease/article.htm
4. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. (2018, July). Gum (Periodontal) Disease. Retrieved May 18, 2019, from https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/gum-disease/more-info
5. Nordqvist, C. (2018, January 18). Periodontitis: Treatment, home remedies, and symptoms (C. Frank DDS, Ed.). Retrieved May 18, 2019, from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/242321.php