The health of your gums affects the health of your body. Whoopi Goldberg knows how important healthy gums are. Check out her YouTube video at the link below:
Experts believe healthy gums can contribute to overall health and increase one’s life expectancy 8 to 10 years. A growing body of research is finding that periodontal disease (sometimes called periodontal disease) can contribute to numerous health problems. Periodontal disease is a common condition. As many as 80% or eight out of ten adults have periodontal disease.
Periodontal disease is linked to:
• heart attacks
• stroke
• diabetes
• increased risk for some cancers
• low-birth-weight babies
We know that periodontal disease is life changing and life threatening. We at VIP Dream Smiles want to be your advocate in fighting this disease! We have the tools, skills, and education to give you hope.
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Let’s explore some questions that frequently arise regarding periodontal disease:
Q: What are the signs of periodontal disease?
A: At first, periodontal disease causes few noticeable signs or symptoms, and you may not notice anything until your gums bleed or hurt when flossing or brushing. As the disease progresses, more serious indicators arise, including:
• Swollen, red, or purple gums
• Gums that are tender when touched
• Heightened oral sensitivity to cold temperatures
• Your teeth look longer than normal
• New spaces developing between your teeth
• Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth
• Loose teeth
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, we strongly recommend you visit your dentist for an examination of your oral health.
Q: What are my options if I have or think I have periodontal disease?
A: First, get a comprehensive evaluation from your dental professional. She will perform diagnostic tests (which are usually covered by your insurance provider) to assess your overall oral health. Recommendations to treat the disease may include:
• Periodontal scaling and root planing (a professional cleaning to remove harmful bacteria below the gumline)
• Medicament application to the infected areas
• Laser therapy to destroy the harmful bacteria
• Prescription fluoride rinse
• Prescription toothpaste
• More frequent cleanings, possibly 3-4 times per year to keep bacteria controlled
Q: What can you do to prevent periodontal disease?
A: There is no definitive way to prevent the disease, but there is much to be done to greatly decrease your risk, including:
• Brushing twice a day
• Flossing once a day
• Eating a healthy, balanced diet
• Seeing your dental professional at least twice a year
As a preventive measure, we recommend you schedule regular dental cleanings with your dentist. While many insurance companies pay for cleanings twice a year, studies show that receiving a cleaning every three months decreases the risk for periodontal disease, along with the other systemic issues that arise with periodontal disease. These frequent cleanings also decrease risk for any decay forming on the teeth, so there is less need for fillings, root canals, crowns, or other restorative treatments.
Q: What causes periodontal disease?
A: There are many causes for periodontal disease. Some of the common causes that contribute to the disease are:
• Smoking and tobacco use
• Lack of brushing and flossing
• Heredity
• Medications
• Medical history
• Diet
Learn more about gum disease from Colgate’s website.