Oral & Whole Body Health

The earliest stage of gum disease is called gingivitis. Gingivitis occurs when plaque builds up around the gums. This built-up plaque traps bacteria at your gum line, causing inflammation. Trapped bacteria will cause an infection and further stages of gum disease. In this first stage, the progress of gingivitis is reversible because no damage has yet occurred to the bones and tissue holding your teeth in place.

Signs of gingivitis include red or swollen gums instead of pink color. Additionally, bleeding may occur during regular brushing or flossing. (Healthy gums won’t bleed as a result of daily hygiene.)

When left untreated, gingivitis progresses to periodontitis. In this pivotal stage of gum disease, structural damage occurs to the bones and tissue holding your teeth in place. This damage can only be repaired through aggressive treatment and surgery. Plaque and bacteria that built-up during gingivitis create pockets in the gums. These pockets are hollow areas at the base of the teeth which will hold plaque, food, and bacteria deeper within your gums. Immediate treatment is required to address these issues and prevent further damage and tissue or bone loss.

Periodontitis causes visible signs such as your gums receding and gaps forming in between teeth. Periodontitis can also cause chronic bad breath or even a bad taste in your mouth. At times, pus may emit from the gums.

If periodontitis is left untreated, the gum disease will progress to advanced periodontitis. In this final stage, the bacteria existing in gum pockets spread throughout the gums, destroying the connective tissue and bones that support your teeth. The pockets that were formed during Stage 2 become significantly deeper, which can allow teeth to loosen or shift, potentially altering your bite. Aggressive treatment is required to combat the systemic problems caused by the disease.

Diabetes poses several risk factors for developing periodontal disease and driving disease progression. Diabetics are generally more susceptible to infections like periodontal disease than those without diabetes. When diabetes is not under control, high blood sugar levels significantly increase the risk of infection and advancing stages of periodontal disease. Diabetic spikes in blood sugar impair white blood cells, compromising their ability to attack bacteria and prevent the infection that causes periodontitis. Persistent high blood sugar levels also trigger the body’s production of chemical compounds that cause excessive inflammation at sites of infection. This inflammation of the gums is the most significant risk factor toward advanced stages of periodontal disease. Additionally, high blood sugar causes blood vessels to thicken, which reduces the flow of nutrients and waste to and from the site of infection.

Together, these factors contribute to overall increased disease progression and damage. The compromised white blood cells and reduced flow of nutrients and waste can slow healing at infected and damaged sites. This slower recovery allows for other risk factors, such as increased inflammation, to advance the infection more aggressively, causing greater damage at faster rates.

When viewed in the opposite direction, diabetics with periodontal disease have greater difficulty regulating their diabetic status. Studies indicate that periodontal disease causes problems in maintaining healthy blood sugar levels.

The gum inflammation that occurs in periodontal disease causes an overproduction of chemicals which are linked to insulin resistance. Insulin resistance means that although the body still produces insulin, the insulin is less able to adequately perform its role of transporting sugars from the bloodstream. Such resistance leads to greater difficulty in maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. The longer this disruption persists, the greater the patient is at risk for diabetic complications such as glaucoma, neuropathy, and high blood pressure. Several studies suggest that treating periodontal disease supports better regulation of blood sugar.

By better understanding the two-way relationship between periodontal disease and diabetes, you can see the negative cyclical impact they can have upon each other. Because of this, immediately addressing the conditions is critical.

If you currently have diabetes, schedule an appointment to determine if you have signs of periodontal disease. Periodontal treatment options vary and may significantly help you regulate your blood sugar and control your diabetic status. Ensuring the health of your gums can not only improve your oral and overall health, but ultimately save you time, worry, and money!

Gum disease is an active infection living inside your mouth. Whether it is a pre-existing condition or if it develops during pregnancy, the further this infection is allowed to advance, the greater the risks it poses to the fetus. Women with a history of oral health problems are at higher risk for developing early stages of gum disease, gingivitis, during pregnancy. If not already present, gingivitis will usually begin to develop in the second or third month and can persist and advance throughout the pregnancy if left untreated. Gingivitis occurs as plaque and bacteria collect around the gum line and in between teeth, making gums red and swollen. Gums that bleed during regular flossing or brushing are indicators of developing gingivitis. This is a sign that you should seek treatment immediately.

If left untreated, the early stages of gum disease will advance to periodontitis. This bacterial infection affects the gums and bones supporting the teeth, causing the teeth to eventually loosen and potentially be lost.vThe natural spaces between your teeth collect bacteria which form pockets in the gums. As bacteria accumulate in these pockets, causing them to deepen and expand, the bacteria gain access to the bloodstream.

Once released into the body, research indicates that the bacteria trigger the production of chemicals that potentially induce premature labor. One study also found periodontal pathogens (bacteria and other toxins associated with periodontal disease) in the amniotic fluid of women who were at risk for preterm labor. This reaffirms hypotheses that such toxins could have a direct connection to increased risk for preterm delivery; however, continued investigation into these interactions is needed.

Until science provides better understanding of the relationship between periodontal disease and preterm, low birth weight delivery, the American Academy of Periodontology emphasizes the importance of daily brushing and flossing throughout pregnancy along with regular visits to your dentist prior to and during pregnancy.

Learn more about this topic here and here

Make an appointment with your dentist immediately if you exhibit any of the following symptoms:

• Red, swollen, or tender gums.
• Bleeding gums during regular brushing or flossing.
• Gums that appear to have pulled away or receded from teeth.
• Loose teeth.
• Change in bite.
• Pus emitting from between teeth or at the gum line.
• Persistent bad breath.

The term osteoporosis means “porous bone.” Bone tissue has a honeycomb structure, which allows bones to be both lightweight and exceptionally strong. Bones are made of living tissue whose cells are constantly being reabsorbed and replenished by the body.Osteoporosis occurs when the rate of replacement fails to keep up with the rate of absorption, leaving large spaces and gaps in the bone structure. Such gaps decrease bone density and strength, making bones more brittle and increasing the risk for fracture and breakage. Everyday tasks such as sitting, standing, picking up a child, or even a hard cough pose a threat to potentially causing a break.vOsteoporosis occurs in both men and women, yet is most prevalent in Caucasian women over age 65.

Osteoporosis can occur in any bone throughout the body, including the jaw bone. A woman suffering from osteoporosis has a three times greater risk of tooth loss than a woman with healthy bone density. Decreased density in the jaw bone can cause loose teeth and, potentially, tooth loss. Additionally, osteoporosis may cause a woman to struggle with improper denture fit as jaw bone tissue is depleted over time.

Patients with both periodontal disease and osteoporosis are at even greater risk of tooth loss. Research shows a strong correlation between periodontitis, osteoporosis, and bone loss. Studies have also suggested that diminished jaw bone density can make the bone more susceptible to the bacterial infections of gum disease. Further research is required to better understand the interactions of these conditions as well as the impact of additional risk factors.

Your bone health is vital to your overall health and quality of life as well as your oral health. Here are some basic steps you can take towards maintaining bone health:

• Eat a balanced diet rich in vitamin D and calcium.
• Exercise regularly. Weight-bearing activities such as walking, dancing and weight training are best to promote bone strength.
• Do not smoke.
• Limit alcohol consumption
• Report any signs of loose teeth, receding or detached gums, or a change in your denture fit to your dentist immediately.

Start with a piece of floss (waxed is easier) about 18” long. Lightly wrap most of the floss around the middle finger of one hand. Wrap the rest of the floss around the middle finger of the other hand.

To clean your upper teeth, hold the floss tightly between the thumb and forefinger of each hand. Gently insert the floss between the teeth using a back-and-forth motion. Do not force the floss or try to snap it into place. Bring the floss to the gum line then curve it into a C-shape against one tooth. Slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth until you feel light resistance. Move the floss up and down on the side of one tooth. Remember there are two tooth surfaces that need to be cleaned in each space.

Continue to floss each side of all your upper teeth. Be careful not to cut the gum tissue. As the floss becomes soiled, turn it from one finger to the other to get a fresh section.

To clean between the bottom teeth, guide the floss using the forefingers of both hands. Don’t forget the back side of the last tooth on both sides, upper and lower.

When you’re done, rinse vigorously with water to remove plaque and food particles. Don’t be alarmed if during the first week of flossing your gums bleed or are a little sore. If your gums hurt while flossing, you could be doing it too hard or pinching the gums. As you floss daily, your gums will heal and the bleeding should stop.

Automatic and “high-tech” electronic toothbrushes are safe and effective for most patients. We see excellent results with Rotadent and Interplak. Oral irrigators like Waterpik units will rinse your mouth thoroughly but will not remove plaque. You need to brush and floss in addition to using the irrigator.

Some manual toothbrushes have a rubber tip on the handle that you can use to massage your gums after brushing. There are also tiny brushes called interproximal brushes that can be used to clean between your teeth. Note, though, that if these are used improperly, you could injure your gums, so discuss proper use with Dr. Yoshida or one of our hygienists at your next visit with us.

Organic toothpastes and mouth rinses – or using baking soda and water or coconut oil – can reduce tooth decay as much as 40% with normal brushing and flossing. (Rinses are not recommended for children under 6 years of age, though.) Tartar control toothpastes will reduce tartar above the gum line, but gum disease starts below the gum line, so these products aren’t likely to help with gingivitis. Anti-plaque rinses contain agents that may help bring early gum disease under control. Use these in conjunction with brushing and flossing.