•  Dental and Oral Problems •  Early Gum Disease

If you've always thought that gum disease was a minor annoyance without real consequences, think again. According to the Academy of General Dentistry, gum disease is responsible for 70 percent of adult tooth loss. What's more, approximately three out of four Americans will suffer from it at some point in their lives.

But how many of us know that? In a federal poll of 1,000 people over age 35, a full 60 percent were unaware of the consequences of gum disease -- or its warning signs. Here's what you need to know to protect yourself.

See your dentist if you notice any of the following:

•Red, swollen, or tender gums.

•Bleeding gums when you brush or floss your teeth.

•Gums that recede or pull away from your teeth.

•Deep pockets between the teeth and gums.

•Loose teeth, or teeth that are pulling away from each other.

•Pus between the gum and tooth.

•Persistent bad breath.

•A change in the way your teeth fit together.

•Difficulty inserting your partial denture, as if teeth have shifted.

The best way to avoid it is to floss daily, brush after eating, and visit your dentist twice a year for checkups and professional cleaning. Many of us skip daily flossings, but it's a crucial step -- even more so than brushing. Don't worry if your gums bleed a little initially -- they should stop doing so after a week or two of flossings -- a change that may mean you've fought back the beginnings of gum disease. Don't stop flossing, or it will likely come back. "You're flossing to remove plaque -- the real culprit behind gum disease," said John Golski, a Frederick, Maryland periodontist quoted in the FDA Consumer journal.

Plaque is the main cause of gum disease, but it's not always the only one. If you're susceptible to tartar (hardened plaque), have your teeth cleaned regularly. Smokers and people who chew tobacco are particularly susceptible to gum disease; for those with AIDS or uncontrolled diabetes, it may be harder to control. Some medications can cause abnormal growth in gum tissue, and a poor diet makes it difficult for the body to fight off gum infection. In addition, clenching or grinding your teeth strains the tissues supporting your teeth and may contribute to their destruction. If you fall into one of these categories, you may want to talk with your dentist about other steps to take.

If you see a dental hygienist for teeth cleaning, you've probably heard of plaque -- a thin film containing bacteria that will coat and erode your teeth unless you remove it through daily brushing and flossing. If plaque isn't removed regularly, it can release toxins that irritate your gums, causing them to pull away from your teeth. This, in turn, creates pockets between the teeth and the gum where more bacteria collect. In its early stages, gum disease is called gingivitis, a condition marked by red, swollen, or tender gums that bleed when you brush or floss your teeth.

The good news is that early gum disease is almost always reversible -- which is why dental hygienists warn patients with tender gums and deeper-than-normal pockets to brush and floss religiously.

Changes occur that are anything but pleasant. As pockets between the teeth and gum get deeper and deeper, bacteria is able to creep down to the roots of your teeth. Your body will rally enzymes to fight the infection and cause swelling in the tissues around the teeth, but unfortunately, the hodge-podge of enzymes and toxins from the bacteria will begin destroying the very bone and the connective tissue that hold your teeth in place. If the disease isn't treated, your teeth may become loose and fall out -- or have to be pulled by a dentist.

Fortunately, gum disease in the early to middle stages can usually be stopped by practicing good hygiene and dental treatment. If you don't have dental insurance or enough money to see a dentist or hygienist, call your county health department and ask for a listing of dental offices that provide free and low-cost services, including teeth cleanings.

-- Nancy Montgomery is an associate editor at Consumer Health Interactive.

References

First published March 26, 2003
Last updated January 29, 2008

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