Keeping our gums healthy is so important. What happens in our mouth can significantly affect the rest of our body. The best way to look after your gums is through your home care with brushing and flossing 2 times a day, morning and night, and seeing your dentist and hygienist for a regular check-up and clean.
What is Gum Disease?
Gingivitis, Periodontitis, Gum Infection:
Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease. Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums, and this is caused by bacteria in plaque and calculus that attach to our gums and teeth. Gingivitis can be successfully treated by removal of the plaque and immature calculus by thorough but gentle cleaning (that is, brushing and flossing every day).
The advanced stage of gum disease is called periodontitis. It can cause serious damage to the teeth and gums, and bone that support the teeth. If this stage of gum disease if left untreated it can eventually lead to teeth falling out.
Gum infection can occur from untreated periodontitis, pus can ooze from the gum and cause a bad taste and smell in the mouth.
Treatment for advanced stages of gum disease include a procedure to remove deposits of plaque and calculus from the tooth root and deeper into pockets beneath the gumline. Sometimes local anaesthetic is needed to numb the teeth and gums being treated. Often several visits are needed to treat different areas in the mouth.
Symptoms:
• Bleeding and/or tender gums
• Bad breath/ Halitosis
• Receding gums
• Loose teeth
Gum disease can impact various other aspects of our health, here are the reasons how and why:
Cardiovascular disease:
Bacteria that live in the mouth and on our gums can get into our blood stream. For most people, these bacteria do not cause any problems. However, for people with certain heart conditions, these bacteria can cause a serious heart infection. Patients with a heart condition should maintain a high standard of oral hygiene to avoid the development of gum disease and reduce the risk of infective endocarditis (bacterial infection in the heart).
Smoking:
Gum disease is much more frequent in smoker than non-smokers. Smokers are more likely to lose one or more teeth due to gum disease and have a higher chance of needing dentures compared to non-smokers. Some smokers can have gum disease but not have obvious symptoms. Your dentist will examine your gums during your regular check-up. Your dentist may be able to help you quit smoking and can diagnose and treat some conditions caused by tobacco use.
Bisphosphonates:
Bisphosphonates are used to treat a condition called Osteoporosis or “thinning of the bones”. This is where calcium is lost from bone structure. Bisphosphonates have been associated with a condition called osteonecrosis of the jaw. Osteonecrosis means, literally, “bone death”. Osteonecrosis is an uncommon condition where affected bone of the upper jaw or lower jaw become exposed and open to the mouth. Effects of osteonecrosis include pain of the gums, lips, bad breath (halitosis), loose teeth, loss of one or more teeth, difficulty eating, and severe infections of the jaw and neck.
It is best to complete all necessary dental work prior to commencing bisphosphonates, especially if “invasive” dental treatment is needed, such as tooth extraction or deep cleaning. It is also recommended to attend your practice for regular check-up and cleans to reduce the risk of gum disease and tooth loss when taking bisphosphonates.
Pregnancy:
Maintaining a good oral health routine is even more important when you’re pregnant since hormonal changes mean that you have an increased susceptibility to gum inflammation and infections. Some women develop “pregnancy gingivitis” where gums swell, become more sensitive and bleed during brushing and flossing. Should this happen to you, your dentist is able to keep a close eye on your gums and help you manage the condition. Hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy can exacerbate problems with your teeth and gums, so you should maintain regular check-up and cleans.
Diabetes:
Diabetes comes with several complications, some relating to your oral health. Periodontal disease or gum disease is one of the common complications of diabetes. Gum disease can interfere with the ability to maintain stable blood glucose levels. Variations in blood glucose levels can also make you more susceptible to gum disease. Diabetes that is not controlled well leads to higher blood sugar levels in the mouth fluids. People with diabetes are at a higher risk of having more missing teeth than people without diabetes. If you have diabetes, it is importance to manage your oral health and prevent or treat gum disease to better control your diabetes.
Bad Breath/ Halitosis:
Bacteria thrive in moist, warm environments, such as your mouth, and can contribute to bad breath. Over 6 billion bacteria reside in your mouth. Some of these bacteria are responsible for causing tooth decay and gum disease. Sulphur-producing bacteria can colonise the back of the tongue and cause a pungent, ‘rotten egg’ odour. Poor oral hygiene is a common cause of bad breath. Brushing your teeth, cleaning your tongue, and cleaning between your teeth removes bacteria from the hard and soft surfaces in your mouth, and will assist in preventing and treating the majority of cases of bad breath.
References:
*ADA Prevention of heart infection due to dental treatment. Edition number 4. 18 June 2020 Mi-tec Medical Publishing.
*ADA Treatment of gum infections. Edition number 6. 14 March 2023 Mi-tec Medical Publishing.
*ADA Your oral health and smoking. Edition 4. 12 Oct 2017 Mi-tech Medical Publishing.
* ADA Oral health and bisphosphonates. Edition 7. 19 May 2012 Mi-tech Medical Publishing.
* [Source: https://www.ada.org.au/Your-Dental-Health/Children-0-11/Pregnancy ]
* DHAA Diabetes and oral health. Information series. Version 1 – 2022.
*DHAA Bad breath and oral health. Information series. Version 1 – 2023.
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