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GUM DISEASE: AFFECTS YOUR WHOLE BODY HEALTH
By: Francis Barbieri Jr., DDS FAGD
Traditionally, gum diseases (periodontal dis-
ease and gingivitis) have been described as
infections of the gums and jaw bones. The
main cause of theses diseases has always
been attributed to the presence of PLAQUE
(
a sticky bacterial film that grows on the
teeth and gums). Control the plaque and
you control the disesase. Sounds simple
doesn’t it. This view of the gum disease can
be misleading and harmful because most
people think “I have an infection why not
just give me some medicine (an antibiotic)
and I will be cured.”
The thinking of the public needs to shift
with regard to periodontitis and gingivitis
they should not be thought of as infections
which can be cured but as an inflammatory
condition which must be constantly man-
aged to prevent it from being destructive.
Dr. Sam Low, professor emeritus of the Uni-
versity of Florida School of Dentistry recent-
ly spoke to a large group of New Jersey
dentists and encouraged them to focus
more on the host response to periodontal
disease stimuli rather than the specific bac-
teria in the management of the disease.
Dentists, in addition to thorough periodon-
tal examinations, are having patients com-
plete Periodontal risk assessments to help
patients become more aware of their risk of
contracting the disease and encouraging
them to take steps in it prevention.
Some of the factors which are discussed in
a Periodontal disease risk assessment are:
•
Age
•
Genetics/Familial History
•
Smoking/Tobacco Use
•
Medications
•
Systemic Diseases
•
Nutritional Risk Factors/Obesity/Diabetes
•
Bite Habits: Clenching and Teeth Grinding
•
Stress Factors
Recently the American Academy of Peri-
odontology (AAP) and the European Feder-
ation of Periodontology (EFP) published a
series of consensus reports analyzing the
mounting scientific evidence that periodon-
tal disease to several systemic diseases.
Some of the items that were presented to
help dentists treat their patients were:
•
Cardiovascular Disease:
there is strong
epidemiologic evidence that periodonti-
tis increases the risk for future cardiovas-
cular disease. Other CVD risk factors
should also be addressed including
hypertension, obesity and tobacco use.
•
Diabetes:
There is an independent asso-
ciation between moderate and severe
periodontitis and increased risk in the
deveolpment and progression of dia-
betes. Furthermore, periodontal disease
interventions can provide beneficial
effects in the management of diabetes.
•
Some studies suggest a moderate associ-
ation between maternal periodontitis
and adverse pregnancy outcomes, the
evidence currently insufficient to recom-
mend periodontal therapy as a means to
improve pregnancy outcomes. Periodon-
tal therapy is considered safe for preg-
nant women but dental professionals
should collaborate closely with their
patients obstretrician and be sure sure to
adhere to best obstetric guidelines.
•
Evidence has suggested the relationship
between periodontitis and other systemic
diseases including
COPD
(
chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease),
pneu-
monia, chronic kidney disease,
rheumatoid arthritis, cognitive
impairment, obesity, metabolic syn-
drome and cancer.
Additional studies
are necessary to better understand the
association of periodontitis, if any, to
these conditions.
In the management of periodontal disease,
dentists by focusing on an individuals host
response to the disease can better cus-
tomize treatment approaches and give indi-
vidualized recommendations for home care
that will help the patients more effectively
deal with their specific condition.
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