Gingivitis is Gum Disease. Gum disease is a silent disease, meaning you can have it and not even know it. It occurs when bacteria gets below the gumline beyond where your toothbrush can reach. Gum disease is an infection that is transferable, meaning the bacteria that cause it can be spread from person to person.

 

Risk factors make some people more susceptible to gum disease than others.  You can clean your teeth twice a day and still have gum disease.  If you have gum disease, bacteria is getting into your blood stream and traveling throughout your body.

 

Heart Disease-Gum disease can double your risk for having a heart attack. The theory is that inflammation in the mouth causes inflammation in the blood vessels. Inflamed blood vessels allow less blood to travel between the heart and the rest of the body, raising blood pressure. This increases the risk of fatty plaque falling off the wall of the vessel and traveling to the heart or brain, causing a heart attack or stroke. When you eliminate gum disease, you lower your risk for heart disease.

 

Diabetes-Diabetics are more prone to gum disease. If left untreated, gum disease makes it harder for diabetics to control their blood sugar. The inflammation impairs the body's ability to utilize insulin. When gum disease is eliminated, diabetics improve their blood sugar control and decrease the likelihood of diabetic complications.

 

Artificial Joint-If you have even the slightest amount of gum inflammation, bacteria from the mouth can enter the bloodstream and cause a serious infection of the artificial joint.  Your physician will recommend antibiotic premedication before your dental visits to prevent such infections. Please let us know if you need a prescription prior to treatment.

 

Rheumatoid Arthritis-The causes of gum disease and RA may be related. One doesn't cause the other, but when one is present the other is more likely to exist. If your gums are inflamed you may be at risk for developing RA.

 

Obesity-Being overweight has been linked to an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes and gum disease. 

 

Alzheimer's Disease-Researchers are now investigating the role of poor oral health and gum disease in the development of Alzheimer's disease.

 

Tobacco Use-Tobacco use is the most significant risk factor for gum disease.

 

Medications-Some medications cause negative side effects, one being dry mouth.

 

Genetic-The tendency for gum disease can be inherited. (Chip off the old block) Has anyone in your family had gum disease?

 

Stress-Major stressors have a very definite adverse affect on your immune system.

 

Contagious-The bacteria that cause gum disease may be spread to a spouse or other members in your household.

 

Osteoporosis-Osteoporosis can affect the jaw bone. If you have osteoporosis, you are more likely to lose teeth if you allow gum disease to persist.