eastin center for cosmetic dentistry

Question of the Month: March

What is gum disease? How can it be avoided or treated?

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is an infection of the teeth, gums and the bone that surrounds the teeth. Gum disease is more common than heart disease, stroke, cancer and Alzheimer's combined. The good news is that unlike those other diseases, gum disease is easily prevented and treated.

The main cause of periodontal disease is the accumulation of plaque on your teeth. Plaque is made up of hundreds of different types of bacteria and toxins. If accumulated plaque is not removed each day, the bacteria and toxins invade the gums and destroy the bone around your teeth. Untreated gum disease is a major cause of adult tooth loss.

Possible warning signs of periodontal disease include persistent bad breath, bleeding of the gums when brushing or flossing, swollen or tender gums and gums that pull away from the teeth. However, it is also possible to have no noticeable symptoms. In fact, most people who have periodontal disease are completely unaware of it.

Periodontal disease can also place you at risk for other more serious diseases. The bacteria that infect the gums and bone can easily travel to other areas of the body. If untreated, periodontal infection has been proven to increase your risk of developing heart disease by 150%, stroke by 300%, premature birth and low birth weight babies by 700%, osteoporosis by 200%, and the risk of respiratory infections are increased by 500%.

Untreated gum disease is a major obstacle to optimal health for a large percentage of the population. Fortunately, modern dental medicine has the solutionÑthe dental laser. Science has shown that the dental laser can eliminate periodontal infection and stimulate repair of the damaged gum and bone. Even more, laser periodontal therapy is comfortable, doesn't cause gum recession and doesn't involve drugs or harsh chemicals.