Lifetime Smiles

August 9th, 2007

Is Your Mouth Making You Sick?

An estimated 80 percent of American adults have some form of periodontal disease. The cause of gum disease is plaque, which is a sticky, colorless film that forms on the teeth and tongue. Daily brushing of the teeth and tongue, as well as flossing and a healthy diet, along with regular dental visits usually keeps periodontal disease at bay. However, it doesn't take long for gum disease to form if you are negligent in any of the above. Gum disease usually starts with gingivitis which is characterized by red swollen gums and some bleeding upon brushing and flossing. If left untreated, gingivitis can lead to periodontal disease. As plaque builds up around the teeth, especially under the gums, the gum pockets will become deeper and the bacteria will destroy the gum tissue and the bone that supports the teeth. Eventually, if left untreated, the teeth lose their support and may be lost. Unfortunately, gum disease is silent (it does not hurt until later stages) and can only be diagnosed by your dentist. Although periodontal disease cannot be cured, it can be maintained with a team effort between you and your dentist.

In the past few years there have been a number of studies linking periodontal disease to many systemic diseases. When there are bacteria from plaque present in the mouth, they will produce toxins. These toxins, in return, trigger a host of immune responses and the release of cytokines to kill the bacteria. The problem arises from the release of too many cytokines, which increases inflammation which in turn, damages the tissue all over the body. These reactions may be elevated blood pressure and cholesterol, and increased blood clotting which can lead to a heart attack. There has been some research that suggests bacteria from periodontal disease may lodge in the walls of blood vessels, causing inflammation and thickening of the wall. This may contribute to an increased chance of heart disease and heart attacks. Another study has suggested that the risk of fatal heart disease doubles for persons with severe periodontal disease.

Emerging evidence may link severe periodontal disease in pregnant women to a sevenfold increase in the risk of delivering preterm, low-weight infants. A recent study by the National Institute of Disease Control found that mothers with preterm babies had significantly more severe forms of periodontal disease than mothers of full term, normal weight babies. Other studies have also linked gum disease to developing early signs of diabetes. Earlier this year, another study by Harvard School of Public Health of 50,000 men showed that those with gum disease had double the chance of getting pancreatic cancer.

Although more studies are on their way, one thing is clear. Gum inflammation is very significant in a variety of diseases. The inflammatory response sent out by the gum tissue travels throughout the body and can affect your overall health. So, take care of your teeth and your gums and, in turn, you will take care of your body.

Thomas P. Baglio, DDS & Rabee McDonald, DMD

General and Cosmetic Dentistry
1060 E. Grand Ave
Escondido, CA 92025 760.747.1811.
www.ltsmiles.com