Gum Disease
In 2003 the World Health Organization published a comprehensive report on oral health with research showing that up to 85% of adults in the United States have some form of gum disease. Unfortunately, most of these people don’t know it. The link between Gum and bone (periodontal) disease and diseases in the body are beginning to be accepted as fact. The bacterium that causes gum disease enters into the blood stream and has been connected to serious diseases like:
- Diabetes
- Heart Disease
- Respiratory Disease
- Blood clots and strokes
- Premature and low birth weight babies
- Pancreatic cancer
- Alzheimer's disease
Risk factors for periodontal disease include:
- Tobacco usage
- Medicines such as some anti-epilepsy drugs, cancer fighting drugs, oral contraceptives and calcium channel blockers.
- Pregnancy
- Hormonal fluctuations in teenage girls
- Defective fillings and bridge work
- Crooked teeth
- A bite that is overloaded
If you have any of the following signs of gum disease you should see your dentist immediately:
- Gums that bleed
- Red, swollen or tender gums
- Gums that pull away from the teeth
- Bad breath or bad taste
- Pus around teeth
- Teeth that are loose or have separated
- Change in the way the teeth fit together
- Change in the fit of partial dentures
Patients that are severely affected by infections such as those who are on immunosuppressant drugs for transplants or even diabetics that have difficulty controlling blood sugar should have their gums evaluated.
Doctor Fletcher is certified to deliver the Perio Protect method for managing gum and bone disease. For more information go to www.perioprotect.com. He feels that this process will one day become the standard of care for all patients with risks factors for gum and bone disease. For more information see our section on Perio Protect. Call today to see if you might benefit from this process.