Gum disease and tooth decay are very serious issues-everyone should be aware of the risk that is involved with not properly taking care of your mouth. However, there are many misconceptions about these problems, which should be addressed.
The first misconception is that tooth loss is a natural part of aging. The truth is, 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.
People who have gum disease are "dirty" and don't brush their teeth-this is not true at all. 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 problem and getting them into early interventive treatment may help them keep their teeth for a lifetime.
It is false that gum disease doesn't affect overall health. Emerging research links periodontal problems to other health problems including heart and respiratory diseases, preterm, low birth-weight babies, stroke, osteoporosis, and diabetes.
Despite what you may have heard, it is not a minor infection. 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. It 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.
Bleeding gums are not normal. This symptom is one of nine warning signs of a more serious problem.
Think of your tissue as the skin on your hand. If your hands bled every time you washed them, you would know something is wrong.
Other signs 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.
This problem affects all races and ethnicities equally-not true. While it can affect anyone, certain populations are especially at risk.
Research reported has shown that Mexican Americans and African Americans are more likely to develop periodontitis than people of European descent. While the reason for this increased risk is not known, it may be due to the frequency of dental visits or different inflammatory responses in different ethnicities.
Additionally, a study from the New York University College of Dentistry found that of all recent U.S. immigrants, those who come from Puerto Rican, Indian, or Haitian backgrounds were much more likely to have periodontitis than immigrants of other backgrounds, possibly due to variance in diet and susceptibility to the oral bacteria that causes gum disease. This is very interesting data which is still being studied.
It is not true that treatment for gum disease is painful. 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. Do not believe that this problem is easy to identify, and that your doctor will be able to diagnose it in its early stages.
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 or symptoms you have researched 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. You do not want to have to suffer from this problem if you can help it-make sure you know the facts.
Author Resource:-
Ronald Pedactor is a former dental assistant and has authored hundreds of articles relating to oral health. He worked for a TMJ dentist in South Carolina before becoming a guest dental lecturer for the past 15 years.
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