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THE DENTAL DOCTOR SAYS: YOU CAN CONTROL YOUR GUM DISEASE!

To the Dental Staff (Dentist, Hygienist, or Dental Nurses) Gum Disease is the biggest Dental Problem that comes to all members of a Family. Not all of the family may have some type of Gum Disease at one time but eventually, for practical purposes, all members will have Gum Disease. Even the Family’s Pets will probably suffer from this disease.

After 16 years of age 80% of teeth that are lost are from this disease.

The Dental Staff calls Dental Gum Disease by the name of PERIODONTAL DISEASE.

If we dissect the word PERIODONTAL we could think of it as “PERI” which means around and “DONTAL” which means tooth. So, this is a disease of the things around the tooth. These are the Bone (supports the teeth), the Gum Tissue (soft tissue covering the bone) and the Periodontal Membrane (the ligament or “fibers” that attach the teeth to the bone). These BIG 3 ITEMS ARE THE THINGS THAT YOU “MUST PROTECT” THROUGHOUT YOUR LIFE IF YOU ARE TO MAINTAIN YOUR TEETH.

Now, having said that, this is a fairly easy thing to do and it can be done with only a little help from the Dental Staff during your lifetime. The rest of the “MUST PROTECT’ HAS TO COME FROM YOU. How can you PROTECT your teeth for a lifetime?

First, the Dental Staff will do all the management of your Dental Decay (we call it Caries) and will help you to Control the Periodontal Disease as it surfaces its ugly head during your lifetime. This Control will be done by the Dental Staff during regular visits. They will tell you how often you must come to see them. DO IT—KEEP THOSE CONTROL APPOINTMENTS WITH THE DENTAL STAFF.

Secondly, what do you have to do? The most important thing is good Mouth Hygiene. After you eat something clean your teeth to get the excess food out. If you leave the food around your teeth then the bacteria and other germs in your mouth will multiply and cause Caries and Periodontal Disease. When you are home cleaning is easy as you have a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, or maybe a water-pick, etc.

What do you notice with your teeth that might be a clue to Periodontal Disease? When you look in a mirror you might see excess redness of the Gum Tissue. Your Gums might easily bleed. They might be swollen. This might be many things but often this is because of a beginning Periodontal Problem called Gingivitis. Your breath might change and become stronger and possibly offensive. This could be another sign of Periodontal Changes. You may have increased sensitivity of your teeth. If you fail to visit your Dental Staff for too long a time you might be in for more serious problems such as “loss of Jaw Bone around the teeth” as seen on X-rays. You might even loose enough bone so that the teeth become loose. Usually by then the disease has progressed so far that some teeth may need to be extracted. Generally speaking we cannot grow that Jaw Bone around the teeth again.

We have been talking about infection around the teeth and within the soft tissues of the mouth (gums, cheeks, tongue, etc.) Recent studies have shown that when individuals have Periodontal Disease that there is a good possibility that they also could have bacterial invasion in other organs of the body—especially the heart. Why is this so? Swollen and Bleeding Gums may release bacteria into the Blood and these bacteria may find their way into the tissues of the heart. These recent studies have shown a strong correlation between Periodontal Disease and Heart Disease. Wow, that is alarming!

Take the time. Develop good mouth habits. Get that appointment and see your Dental Staff when it is your time for a visit. Ask your Dentist what other things you can do.

You are fortunate to have the Dental Care Coverage that you have been provided. Use it and help your overall health. That way you will have good health during your working life and in your senior retirement years too.

Best in Health to you!

E. Edgar Schroeder, ABO, DDS, MS
Dental Consultant
Nevada Western Dental Plan Management