Dental updates from Dr. Mckeever.

Archives

• July 2003
• August 2003
• October 2003
• January 2004
• March 2004
• June 2004
• August 2004
• October 2004
• June 2005
• September 2005
• October 2005
• January 2006
• February 2006
• May 2006
• August 2006
• October 2006
• January 2007
• June 2007
• December 2007
• March 2008

 
GUM DISEASE

An estimated 35.7 million Americans are walking around with bacterial infections of their gums known as periodontal disease or pyorrhea. This infection of the gum tissues around the teeth not only cause bad breath and tooth loss but may lead to a variety of serious and life-threatening systemic conditions including heart disease and strokes.
What causes periodontal disease? There are two general schools of thought on the subject. One concentreates on the bacteria whose waste products produce the plaque build-up on the teeth that irritates the gums and eventually produces chemicals that cause bone loss. The newest theory points to the victims own immune system as the culprit as it over-reacts to the bacterial challenge by producing enzymes that dissolve the connective tissues that support the teeth. Any why are some people susceptible to this immune system dysfunction? At least half of the population may be genetically pre-disposed to the disease allowing their immune systems to engage in the tissue destruction. Smoking also plays a major role and increases the risk of losing teeeth from periodontal disease (up to five times more than non-smokers). This isn't just due to the heat destruction; nicotine causes significant changes in the blood vessels limiting the availability of nutrients necessary for a healthy environment in the crevices around the teeth. Also, certain hormonally triggered life-stages such as pregnancy and menopause can cause the gums to react differently to the bacterial challenges. In any event, periodontal disease is a complex disease that may require minor or major treatment depending upon the patient's physiology, lifestyle (which includes their stress level) and genetic make-up.
A knowledgeable dentist or hygienist may be able to control early to moderate periodontal disease through a procedure known as scaling and root planing which removes the toxic build up of tartar and plaque that builds up on the roots of the teeth. Special instruments are used to accomplish this task and it is usually done under local anesthetic. If the tissue response to this conservative treatment is not satisfactory, additional treatments may be necessary. For advanced gum disease, surgical traetments may have to be done to reduce the size of the gum pockets around the teeth and reshape the bone to facilitate a more hospitable environment. Local or systemic antibiotics may be used including a relatively new drug called Periostat which is a low-dose antibiotic that down-regulates the immune system's response to the bacterial challenge rendering the patient's own white cells less toxic.
How to care for your gums?
-use a soft-bristled brush (I recommend a good electric brush)
-floss or irrigate daily and religously; also, using a proxabrush is very effective
-get regular check-ups with the necessary X-rays to monitor bone level
-get the teeth "cleaned" on schedule; some patients can go six months or more and
others, with the more severe form of pyorrhea, may need to go in more frequently.

Keep in mind that the germs in the crevices can get into your blood stream and some of the bacterial species that are found in the inflammatory lesions that build up inside of and plug the blood vessels are of the same family of germs we find in the mouth. Yes, the head is connected to the rest of the body so take care of your teeth!
posted by Steve at 11:10 AM