You can prevent gum disease
Feb 27, 2007
Have you ever wondered why many people lose their teeth? It is because the mouth is a busy place with millions of bacteria constantly on the move. While some bacteria are harmless, others can attack the teeth and gums, leading to pain or complete loss of teeth.
By Halima Shaban
Have you ever wondered why many people lose their teeth? It is because the mouth is a busy place with millions of bacteria constantly on the move. While some bacteria are harmless, others can attack the teeth and gums, leading to pain or complete loss of teeth.
Dr. Winnie Nasolo, a dental surgeon at SAS Clinic, says harmful bacteria are contained in a colourless sticky coating called the plaque that causes gum disease (periodontitis). If not removed, the coating builds up on the teeth and irritates the gums, causing them to bleed. If left unchecked, the bone and connective tissues are destroyed; the teeth become loose and may have to be removed.
Although gingivitis usually precedes periodontitis, it is important to know that not all gingivitis progresses to periodontitis. In the early stage of gingivitis, the gums can become red, swollen and bleed, often during brushing. Although bleeding is not always a symptom of gingivitis, it is a sign that your mouth is unhealthy.
A recent research by Nassolo revealed that 70% of Ugandans knew little about gum diseases; the symptoms, treatment and the consequences and 40% do not visit a dentist regularly. Nassolo says 40% of Ugandans suffer from some form of gum disease. In its earliest stage, your gums might swell and bleed easily. At its worst, you might lose your teeth.
Most patients discover gingivitis during their occasioned visits to their dentists when they experience pain. But if left untreated, it can advance to periodontitis. That is why most aged people lose their teeth. At this point, the inner layer of the gum and bone pull away from the teeth forming pockets.
These spaces between teeth and gums may collect debris and can become infected. As the disease progresses, the pockets deepen and more gum tissue and bone are destroyed. This is because there is no anchor for the teeth. They become loose and fall out. Even if you do not notice any symptoms, you may still have some degree of gum disease. Some people have gum disease around certain teeth such as those in the back of the mouth. “Gum disease is preventable. Attention to oral hygiene and professional cleansing twice a year, could be all that is needed,†Nasolo says.
Treatment
“The treatment your dentist chooses will most likely depend on the magnitude of the disease, your response to treatment, or your health,†she explains.
Treatment involves healthy eating, proper brushing and flossing, non-surgical therapy that controls the growth of harmful bacteria and, in more advanced cases of disease, surgery to restore supportive tissues. Although brushing and flossing are equally important, brushing eliminates only the plaque from the surfaces of the teeth, while flossing removes plaque from in between the teeth and under the gum line, both should be used as part of a regular self-care treatment
- Scaling scrapes the plaque and tartar from the gum. Root planning smoothens rough spots on the tooth root where germs collect and removes bacteria. This also re-attaches the gums to the teeth.
- If you have some bone loss or when the gums recede from the teeth, the standard treatment is an intensive deep cleaning, non-surgical method called scaling
- Antibiotic treatments can be used either in combination with surgery and other therapies, or alone, to reduce or temporarily eliminate the bacteria associated with periodontal disease.
Prevention
- Brush twice a day and floss daily. If you’re not sure whether you’re brushing or flossing properly, your dentist or dental hygienist can show you the best techniques.
- Always brush with toothpaste that contains fluoride; some dentists also recommend a daily mouth rinse containing fluoride.
- Use a toothbrush with soft, polished bristles, as these are less likely to irritate or injure gum tissue. Replace your toothbrush at least every three to four months.
- Avoid snacks and junk foods packed with sugar that plaque-causing bacteria love to feed on.
- Do not smoke. Tobacco is unhealthy for the teeth.
Regular dental care is important.
Have you ever wondered why many people lose their teeth? It is because the mouth is a busy place with millions of bacteria constantly on the move. While some bacteria are harmless, others can attack the teeth and gums, leading to pain or complete loss of teeth.
Dr. Winnie Nasolo, a dental surgeon at SAS Clinic, says harmful bacteria are contained in a colourless sticky coating called the plaque that causes gum disease (periodontitis). If not removed, the coating builds up on the teeth and irritates the gums, causing them to bleed. If left unchecked, the bone and connective tissues are destroyed; the teeth become loose and may have to be removed.
Although gingivitis usually precedes periodontitis, it is important to know that not all gingivitis progresses to periodontitis. In the early stage of gingivitis, the gums can become red, swollen and bleed, often during brushing. Although bleeding is not always a symptom of gingivitis, it is a sign that your mouth is unhealthy.
A recent research by Nassolo revealed that 70% of Ugandans knew little about gum diseases; the symptoms, treatment and the consequences and 40% do not visit a dentist regularly. Nassolo says 40% of Ugandans suffer from some form of gum disease. In its earliest stage, your gums might swell and bleed easily. At its worst, you might lose your teeth.
Most patients discover gingivitis during their occasioned visits to their dentists when they experience pain. But if left untreated, it can advance to periodontitis. That is why most aged people lose their teeth. At this point, the inner layer of the gum and bone pull away from the teeth forming pockets.
These spaces between teeth and gums may collect debris and can become infected. As the disease progresses, the pockets deepen and more gum tissue and bone are destroyed. This is because there is no anchor for the teeth. They become loose and fall out. Even if you do not notice any symptoms, you may still have some degree of gum disease. Some people have gum disease around certain teeth such as those in the back of the mouth. “Gum disease is preventable. Attention to oral hygiene and professional cleansing twice a year, could be all that is needed,†Nasolo says.
Treatment
“The treatment your dentist chooses will most likely depend on the magnitude of the disease, your response to treatment, or your health,†she explains.
Treatment involves healthy eating, proper brushing and flossing, non-surgical therapy that controls the growth of harmful bacteria and, in more advanced cases of disease, surgery to restore supportive tissues. Although brushing and flossing are equally important, brushing eliminates only the plaque from the surfaces of the teeth, while flossing removes plaque from in between the teeth and under the gum line, both should be used as part of a regular self-care treatment
- Scaling scrapes the plaque and tartar from the gum. Root planning smoothens rough spots on the tooth root where germs collect and removes bacteria. This also re-attaches the gums to the teeth.
- If you have some bone loss or when the gums recede from the teeth, the standard treatment is an intensive deep cleaning, non-surgical method called scaling
- Antibiotic treatments can be used either in combination with surgery and other therapies, or alone, to reduce or temporarily eliminate the bacteria associated with periodontal disease.
Prevention
- Brush twice a day and floss daily. If you’re not sure whether you’re brushing or flossing properly, your dentist or dental hygienist can show you the best techniques.
- Always brush with toothpaste that contains fluoride; some dentists also recommend a daily mouth rinse containing fluoride.
- Use a toothbrush with soft, polished bristles, as these are less likely to irritate or injure gum tissue. Replace your toothbrush at least every three to four months.
- Avoid snacks and junk foods packed with sugar that plaque-causing bacteria love to feed on.
- Do not smoke. Tobacco is unhealthy for the teeth.
Regular dental care is important.