Periodontal Disease Fact sheet

• Periodontal disease is a serious bacterial infection that ultimately will lead to tooth loss.

• 75% of adults over age of 35 have some form of periodontal disease.

• Periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.

• Bacterial plaque will form around the gum causing gingivitis in just one week lack of proper brushing and flossing.

• There are >500 bacteria living in our mouth, from which about 20 of them are considered periodontal pathogens. Therefore, there is no real cure for periodontal disease.

• We can stop the progression of the disease by frequent home care, professional cleaning, antimicrobials and surgeries as needed.

• Periodontal pathogens, aging, cigarette smoking and diabetes are risk factors for periodontal disease.

• Bacteremia (bacteria in the bloodstream) can occur after dental procedures in patients with periodontal disease.

• Recent studies have shown that the incidence of Bacteremia after regular tooth brushing and flossing increased as the severity of gingivitis increased.

• Patients with severe periodontal disease had approximately four times more harmful bacterial products in their blood than those with moderate or no periodontal disease after chewing.

• Periodontal disease can run in families due to shared genetic background and cross contamination of bacteria.

• Periodontal disease and infection can affect other parts of body including brain, heart, lungs and an unborn child.

• The key in the maintenance of the teeth is early detection and treatment of the disease.

• Three-month recall is recommended for patients with existing periodontal disease.

• Every hour one person dies in Unites States due to oral cancer.
   

Periodontal Disease and Systemic Side Effects

People with periodontal disease are at higher risk for developing heart disease, stroke, uncontrolled diabetes, preterm births and respiratory disease. Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection, and all infections are cause for concern. Periodontal bacteria can enter the blood stream and travel to major organs and begin new infections. Research is suggesting that this may:

• Contribute to the development of heart disease, the nation's leading cause of death.

• Increase the risk of stroke

• Increase a woman's risk of having a preterm, low birth weight baby.

• Pose a serious threat to people whose health is compromised by diabetes. respiratory diseases, or osteoporosis.

Researchers found diseased gums released significantly higher levels of bacterial pro-inflammatory components, such as endotoxins, into the bloodstream in patients with severe periodontal disease compared to healthy patients. As a result, these harmful bacterial components in the blood could travel to other organs in the body, such as the heart, and cause harm. Periodontal disease may cause oral bacterial components to enter the bloodstream and trigger the liver to make C-reactive proteins, which are a predictor for increased risk for cardiovascular disease.

"We found the mouth could be a major source of chronic or permanent release of toxic bacterial components in the bloodstream during normal oral functions," said Dr. E.H. Rompen, director of the study. "This could be the missing link explaining the abnormally high blood levels of some inflammatory markers or endotoxemia observed in patients with periodontal disease."

Researchers studied 67 patients of whom 42 were diagnosed with moderate to severe periodontitis and the remaining 25 patients were healthy individuals who had never received periodontal treatment. Blood samples were taken before and after patients lightly chewed chewing gum 50 times on each side of their jaw. Researchers found the number of patients with endotoxemia rose from six percent before chewing to 24 percent after chewing. Additionally, those with severe periodontal disease had approximately four times more harmful bacterial products in their blood than those with moderate or no periodontal disease.

Periodontal Disease and Family Members

Periodontal (gum) disease may be passed from parents to children and between a couple, according to an article in the September 1997 issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association.

Researchers suggest bacteria that cause periodontal disease pass though saliva. This means that the common contact of saliva in families puts children and couples at risk for contracting the periodontal disease of another family member. Periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss.

Genetic Marker Discovered for Periodontal Disease

Up to 30% of the population may be genetically susceptible to developing severe periodontal disease, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology. These findings could result in the early identification and treatment of at-risk patients.

Recommendation

Based on this research, The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) recognizes that treatment of gum disease may involve entire families. If one family member has periodontal disease, the AAP recommends that all family members see a dental professional for a periodontal disease screening.

Effectiveness of Periodontal Surgical Treatment

Patients who are at risk for losing teeth to periodontal disease show improved prognosis for keeping their teeth following periodontal surgery, according to a new study in the Journal of Periodontology.

The study evaluated the effects of no treatment, non-surgical therapy, and periodontal surgery on 2,350 teeth of patients who presented with moderate to severe periodontitis. Forty-eight percent of teeth receiving periodontal surgery improved prognosis, while only 12% of the teeth that received no treatment or that underwent non-surgical treatment improved. In addition, more than 35% of the teeth in the no treatment and non-surgical treatment groups actually worsened in prognosis.

"These findings are important for patients who value oral health and want to keep their teeth a lifetime," explained Stephen Harrel, D.D.S., one of the authors of the study. "It's essential for these patients to understand that optimal results are not always possible with non-surgical methods and, with no treatment, periodontal disease usually gets worse. Equipped with this understanding and an appreciation of the benefits afforded by natural teeth over dentures, even the most apprehensive patients should consider selecting the treatment option that's best for them - even if that involves surgery."

"This research can help save patients' smiles by illustrating tooth loss as a consequence of what happens when periodontal disease is ignored and not fully treated," said Kenneth Bueltmann, D.D.S., president of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP). "And, as additional research links periodontal disease to other serious health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, respiratory disease and pre-term low birth weight, if this study prompts even one patient to select the best recommended treatment plan so to avoid these other possible consequences of ignored periodontal problems, then it's achieved a positive outcome for the entire healthcare community."

Periodontal disease test:

□Yes  □No    Do your gums ever bleed when you brush or floss your teeth or when you eat hard food?

□Yes  □No    Have you noticed any spaces developing between your teeth?

□Yes  □No    Do your gums feel swollen or tender?

□Yes  □No    Have you noticed that your gums are receding (pulling back from your teeth) or your teeth appear longer than before?

□Yes  □No    Do you have persistent bad breath?

□Yes  □No    Have you noticed pus between your teeth and gums?

□Yes  □No    Have you noticed any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite?

□Yes  □No    Do you ever develop sores in your mouth?

□Yes  □No    Have you ever had pain in your mouth?

□Yes  □No    Do your teeth feel sensitive?

If you have found out that the answer to any of these questions is yes you might have periodontal disease. You can call our office to make an appointment for a consultation visit.