Gingivitis and Heart Disease: How are They Related?

Periodontal diseases (diseases of the gum, including gingivitis and periodontitis) are serious infections of one or many teeth that can lead to tooth loss. Periodontal disease is a chronic bacterial infection affecting the gums and the bones supporting the teeth. The word periodontal means "around the tooth."

In the early stages of periodontal disease, your gums may be red and bleed easily. This is the stage called gingivitis, and is usually due to inadequate oral hygiene. Paying more attention to brushing and flossing your teeth, and regular visits to your dentist, can reverse this condition. Dr. Michael Iott’s staff is thoroughly trained and knowledgeable in the diagnosis and treatment of gingivitis. Click here to schedule an evaluation and discuss steps you can take to reverse the symptoms of this insidious disease.

Left untreated, gingivitis advances to periodontitis. As plaque spreads and grows below your gum line, the bacteria in plaque irritate the gums, breaking down and destroying tissue and bone. As a result, your gums separate from your teeth, forming infected spaces between the teeth and gums. As the infection progresses, these spaces destroy more gum and bone. Although you may have very mild symptoms, the sad truth is that your teeth will eventually become loose and require removal.

Unfortunately, losing your teeth is not the only eventuality with periodontitis. Studies show a clear correlation between gum disease and heart disease, highlighting the fact that people with gum disease have a 25 percent greater risk of heart disease than those with healthy gums. Although scientists have just begun to understand how one disease affects another, they now believe that inflammatory gum disease releases pro-inflammatory chemicals into the bloodstream, triggering a systemic inflammatory response. In other words, inflammation in one area of the body can cause inflammation in another. Additionally, people with poor oral health that includes missing and decayed teeth tend to suffer from poor nutrition, because eating a nutritious diet high in fiber, fruits and vegetables is more difficult. This too can affect heart health.

How will Dr. Iott treat your gum disease? His goal is to remove plaque and make it difficult for plaque to reform. If your gum disease is mild, Dr. Iott may able to begin the healing of your gums with a good cleaning and instructions for more careful brushing and flossing at home.

However, once hard layers of tartar have formed, you’ll need Dr. Iott’s assistance to remove it with a special implement called a ‘scaling tool’. Once all the tartar has been removed, the hygienist will polish your teeth, making it more difficult for bacteria to attach. An antiseptic mouthwash may be recommended by Dr. Iott to control plaque temporarily, but these should not be used for more than one month.

If you have developed the deep pockets typical of periodontitis, Dr. Iott will clean these as often as every two months until the infection can be brought under control. Additionally, root planning may be needed, where the infected base around the root of your tooth is removed.

Maintaining good oral hygiene at home and seeing Dr. Iott twice a year for cleanings will help you to avoid many of these unpleasant oral conditions. To avoid gum disease and keep your teeth and gums in tip-top shape, here are a few tips:

· brush at least twice daily
· use a fluoride toothpaste to protect against decay
· use a toothbrush with soft or medium synthetic bristles that has a head small enough to comfortably reach all around your mouth
· use a gentle circular action and brush all surfaces of your teeth thoroughly