FAQs

Get the facts about this serious infection to save your teeth and protect your health.

FALLACY: Tooth loss is a natural part of aging.

FACT: With good oral hygiene and regular professional care, your teeth are meant to last a lifetime. However, if left untreated, periodontal (gum)disease can lead to tooth loss. It is the primary cause of tooth loss in adults 35 and over.

FALLACY: People who have gum disease are "dirty" and don't brush their teeth.

FACT: Research proves that up to 30% of the population may be genetically susceptible to gum disease. Despite aggressive oral care habits, these people may be six times more likely to develop periodontal disease. Identifying these people with a genetic test before they even show signs of the disease and getting them into early interventive treatment may help them keep their teeth for a lifetime.

FALLACY: Gum disease doesn't affect overall health.

FACT: Emerging research links periodontal disease to other health problems including heart and respiratory diseases; preterm, low birthweight babies; stroke; osteoporosis; and diabetes.

FALLACY: Gum disease is a minor infection.

FACT: The mass of tissue in the oral cavity is equivalent to the skin on your arm that extends from the wrist to the elbow. If this area was red, swollen, and infected, you would visit the doctor. Gum disease is not a small infection. Its result, tooth loss, leads to a very different lifestyle—dentures.The changes in your appearance, breath, and ability to chew food are dramatic.

FALLACY: Bleeding gums are normal.

FACT: Bleeding gums are one of nine warning signs of gum disease Think of gum tissue as the skin on your hand. If your hands bled every time you washed them, you would know something is wrong. Other signs of gum disease include: red, swollen or tender gums; sores in your mouth; gums that have pulled away from the teeth; persistent bad breath; pus between the teeth and gums (leaving bad breath); loose or separating teeth; a change in the way the teeth fit together; and a change in the fit of partial dentures.

FALLACY: Treatment for gum disease is painful.

FACT: New periodontal procedures including local anesthesia and over-the-counter medications, have made patients' treatment experiences pleasant and comfortable. Many patients find they are back to normal routines on the same day or by the next day.

FALLACY: Gum disease is easy to identify, even in its early stages, so my dentist would tell me if I had it.

FACT: Millions of people don't know they have this serious infection that can lead to tooth loss if not treated. You should always get involved in your dental care, so that problems are detected in the early stages. You should inform your dentist if any signs of gum disease are present; or if any changes in your overall health or medications occurred in between visits. Most importantly, you should ask your dentist about your periodontal health and what method was used to evaluate its condition. This level of participation enables you to work in a team approach with your dentist to identify subtle changes that may occur in the oral cavity.

FALLACY: Once teeth are lost, the only treatment options are crowns, bridges or dentures.

FACT: Dental implants are a permanent tooth-replacement option for teeth lost to trauma, injury or periodontal disease. Dental implants are so natural-looking, and feeling that many patients forget they ever lost a tooth.

FALLACY: Cavities are the number-one cause of tooth loss.

FACT: Periodontal disease is the number-one cause of tooth loss. According to the 1996 American Dental Association/Colgate survey,U.S. dentists say gum disease is a more pressing oral health concern than tooth decay by a 2-to-1 margin.

FALLACY: Because gum disease is a bacterial infection, antibiotics can be usedto treat it.

FACT: Research demonstrates that antibiotics can be a helpful adjunct to treating periodontal disease. However, medical and dental communities are concerned about the overuse of these medications in treating infections because of the possibility of the development of antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria. This overuse would be detrimental to patients if they develop a life-threatening illness for which antibiotics would no longer be helpful.

FALLACY: Pregnant women should skip professional dental checkups.

FACT: Teeth and gums are affected during pregnancy like other tissues in the body. In order to decrease the risk of damaging the gums and tissues surrounding the teeth, pregnant women should schedule an appointment for a periodontal evaluation.

Persistent swollen, red or bleeding gums, tooth sensitivity, and bad breath are among the warning signs of periodontal (gum) disease.

Periodontal disease is often silent, meaning symptoms may not appear until an advanced stage of the disease. However, warning signs of periodontal disease include the following:

• Red, swollen or tender gums or other pain in your mouth
• Bleeding while brushing, flossing, or eating hard food
• Gums that are receding or pulling away from the teeth, causing the teeth to look longer than before
• Loose or separating teeth
• Pus between your gums and teeth
• Sores in your mouth
• Persistent bad breath
• A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
• A change in the fit of partial dentures

The main cause of periodontal (gum) disease is plaque, but other factors affect the health of your gums.

Periodontal (gum) diseases, including gingivitis and periodontitis, are serious infections that, left untreated, can lead to tooth loss. Periodontal disease can affect one tooth or many teeth. The main cause of periodontal disease is bacterial plaque, a sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth. However, factors like the following also affect the health of your gums.

Smoking/Tobacco Use

As you probably already know, tobacco use is linked with many serious illnesses such as cancer, lung disease and heart disease, as well as numerous other health problems. What you may not know is that tobacco users also are at increased risk for periodontal disease. In fact, recent studies have shown that tobacco use may be one of the most significant risk factors in the development and progression of periodontal disease.

• Smoking and Periodontal Disease
• Research on the Oral Health Effects of Smoking
• Cigar and Pipe Smoking Are as Dangerous as Cigarettes to Periodontal Health
• Smokers Have Lower Success Rates with Periodontal Treatment
• Study Shows Yet Another Reason Why Quitters Are Winners
• Periodontists Encourage Patients To Quit Smoking Habit

Genetics

Research proves that up to 30% of the population may be genetically susceptible to gum disease. Despite aggressive oral care habits, these people may be six times more likely to develop periodontal disease. Identifying these people with a genetic test before they even show signs of the disease and getting them into early interventive treatment may help them keep their teeth for a lifetime.

• Study Finds Substantial Genetic Basis for Risk of Periodontal Disease
• Genetic Marker Common in People of European Heritage Doesn't Explain High Rates of Periodontal Disease in Chinese
• Families and Periodontal Disease

Puberty, Pregnancy and Menopause in Women

A woman's health needs are unique. Though brushing and flossing daily, a healthy diet, and regular exercise are important for oral health throughout life, there are certain times in a woman's life when extra care is needed—times  when you mature and change such as puberty or menopause, and times when you have special health needs, such as menstruation or pregnancy. During these particular times, a woman's body experiences hormonal changes that can affect many of the tissues in your body, including the gums. Your gums can become sensitive, and at times react strongly to the hormonal fluctuations. This may make you more susceptible to gum disease. Additionally, recent studies suggest that pregnant women with gum disease are seven times more likely to deliver preterm, low birth weight babies.

• Periodontal Diseases Should Concern Women of All Ages
• Women and Periodontal Disease
• Research on Periodontal Disease During Pregnancy
• Oral Health Advice for Mothers-to-Be
• Dental Procedure May Reduce Risk of Premature Births
• Menstrual Cycle Affects Periodontal Health
• Postmenopause and Periodontal Disease: What Women Need to Know
• A Mouthful of Reasons to Consider Hormone Replacement Therapy

Stress

As you probably already know, stress is linked to many serious conditions such as hypertension, cancer, and numerous other health problems. What you may not know is that stress also is a risk factor for periodontal disease. Research demonstrates that stress can make it more difficult for the body to fight off infection, including periodontal diseases.

• Stress May Leave Your Mouth a Mess
• Chronic Stress, Depression and Cortisol Levels Are Potential Risk Indicators for Periodontal Disease
• Identifying Patients' Stress Coping Behavior Key to Treatment Outcomes
• Financial Stress Doubles Periodontal Disease Risk
• Researchers Find Clinical Depression May Have Negative Effect on Periodontal Treatment Outcome

Medications

Some drugs, such as oral contraceptives, anti-depressants, and certain heart medicines, can affect your oral health. Just as you notify your pharmacist and other health care providers of all medicines you are taking and any changes in your overall health, you should also inform your dental care provider.

• Steroid Abuse Harms Gingival Tissues
• Serious Oral Post-Surgical Complication Identified in Patient on Commonly Prescribed Therapy for Osteopenia
• Common Treatment for Acne May Cause the Appearance of Discolored Gums
• Patients Taking Medication for High Blood Pressure Benefit from Frequent Dental Care

Clenching or Grinding Your Teeth

Has anyone ever told you that you grind your teeth at night? Is your jaw sore from clenching your teeth when you're taking a test or solving a problem at work? Clenching or grinding your teeth can put excess force on the supporting tissues of the teeth and could speed up the rate at which these periodontal tissues are destroyed.

Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease that causes altered levels of sugar in the blood. Diabetes develops from either a deficiency in insulin production (a hormone that is the key component in the body's ability to use blood sugars) or the body's inability to use insulin correctly. According to the American Diabetes Association, approximately 16 million Americans have diabetes; however, more than half have not been diagnosed with this disease. If you are diabetic, you are at higher risk for developing infections, including periodontal diseases. These infections can impair the ability to process and/or utilize insulin, which may cause your diabetes to be more difficult to control and your infection to be more severe than a non-diabetic.

• Research on the Links Between Diabetes and Periodontal Disease
• More Severe Periodontal Disease Poses Additional Threat to Pregnant Diabetics
• Controlled Diabetics Have New Reason to Smile
• Diabetes: The Mouth-Body Connection

Other Systemic Diseases

Diseases that interfere with the body's immune system may worsen the condition of the gums.

• The Mouth Body Connection
• Millions of Americans May Be at Risk for Serious Health Problems Due to Gum Disease
• Why Periodontal Disease May Pose a Risk to Your Health
• Research on Heart Disease and Periodontal Disease
• People With Rheumatoid Arthritis Have More Periodontal Disease
• Study Suggests Kindler Patients Have Three Times the Amount of Periodontal Destruction Than Healthy Patients
• Researchers Identify Periodontitis in Marfan's Syndrome Patient

Poor Nutrition and Obesity

As you may already know, a diet low in important nutrients can compromise the body's immune system and make it harder for the body to fight off infection. Because periodontal disease is a serious infection, poor nutrition can worsen the condition of your gums.

Periodontal (gum) diseases, including gingivitis and periodontitis, are serious infections that, left untreated, can lead to tooth loss. The word periodontal literally means "around the tooth." Periodontal disease is a chronic bacterial infection that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth. Periodontal disease can affect one tooth or many teeth. It begins when the bacteria in plaque (the sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth) causes the gums to become inflamed.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is the mildest form of periodontal disease. It causes the gums to become red, swollen, and bleed easily. There is usually little or no discomfort at this stage. Gingivitis is often caused by inadequate oral hygiene. Gingivitis is reversible with professional treatment and good oral home care.

Periodontitis

Untreated gingivitis can advance to periodontitis. With time, plaque can spread and grow below the gum line. Toxins produced by the bacteria in plaque irritate the gums. The toxins stimulate a chronic inflammatory response in which the body in essence turns on itself, and the tissues and bone that support the teeth are broken down and destroyed. Gums separate from the teeth, forming pockets (spaces between the teeth and gums) that become infected. As the disease progresses, the pockets deepen and more gum tissue and bone are destroyed. Often, this destructive process has very mild symptoms. Eventually, teeth can become loose and may have to be removed.

There are many forms of periodontitis. The most common ones include the following.

• Aggressive periodontitis occurs in patients who are otherwise clinically healthy. Common features include rapid attachment loss and bone destruction and familial aggregation.
• Chronic periodontitis results in inflammation within the supporting tissues of the teeth, progressive attachment and bone loss. This is the most frequently occurring form of periodontitis and is characterized by pocket formation and/or recession of the gingiva. It is prevalent in adults, but can occur at any age. Progression of attachment loss usually occurs slowly, but periods of rapid progression can occur.
• Periodontitis as a manifestation of systemic diseases often begins at a young age. Systemic conditions such as heart disease, respiratory disease, and diabetes are associated with this form of periodontitis.
• Necrotizing periodontal disease is an infection characterized by necrosis of gingival tissues, periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. These lesions are most commonly observed in individuals with systemic conditions such as HIV infection, malnutrition and immunosuppression.