Can Gum Disease Cause Alzheimer’s And Other Health Problems?

There have been many attempts to understand the link between gum disease and other systemic health problems such as heart disease, stroke, and Alzheimer's disease. Comparing the bacteria that cause dental plaque with the bacteria involved in heart disease suggests a correlation between gum disease and heart disease, but researchers have been unable to establish a cause and effect relationship. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, recent studies have shown that periodontal disease bacteria may play a role in the pathology of Alzheimer's disease. These types of relationships are difficult to prove or disprove, so it is fair to assume that aiming for a life free of gum disease will only help in leading a generally healthier life.

While it may be hard to prove what health problems are directly caused by gum disease, it is known that certain health problems can cause gum disease. If there are any sudden changes to a person's medical condition, they should ask their primary care provider or dentist if there might be any effects on oral health. Healthy gums can quickly become threatened when the body's overall health diminishes or changes for any reason.

Why are healthy gums so important?

Your gums play a fundamental role in helping you maintain excellent oral health. They act as protective seals that inhibit the penetration of bacteria into your body, and they offer support and security, as their purpose is to hold your teeth in place.

Gums, like many other parts of the body, can be prone to disease. Gum disease, also known as periodontitis, begins with bacterial growth in the mouth and can lead to tooth loss if not properly treated. In fact, gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.

If you want to keep your pearly whites intact, understanding gum disease and recognising what signs to look out for is extremely important. Read on to learn about signs and symptoms of gum disease, and what you can do to prevent it.

What is gum disease?

Gum disease is caused by plaque – the white sticky film that forms in all our mouths. Plaque is filled with bacteria, and some of this bacteria is good, while some of it is bad. If plaque is left behind after a period of time, it starts to irritate the gums and cause inflammation. Toxins produced by the bacteria in the plaque start to break down the bone and connective tissue that hold teeth in place. As it worsens, the pockets deepen and more gum tissue and bone are destroyed. Teeth are no longer anchored in place and become loose, resulting in tooth loss.

What are the symptoms of unhealthy gums?

Healthy gums are typically pink. Any change in its natural colour is a sign of poor health. However, when they are red and swollen, this is an indication that something is amiss.

Sore, tender, bleeding gums are a sign of gum disease. These symptoms generally indicate gingivitis, which is an early stage of gum disease. This stage is reversible, but if proper oral care is not taken, it will advance to severe stages of gum disease known as periodontitis.

What are the warning signs of gum disease?

If you think you might have gum disease, read through these warning signs. If any of these ring true for you, you should consult a dental hygienist immediately.

• Bleeding gums when you brush, floss or eat hard food
• Gums that recede back from the tooth, making you look long in the tooth
• Halitosis (also known as bad breath)
• Loose teeth or separating teeth
• Puss between your teeth and gums paired with a bad taste in your mouth

How to treat gum disease

If you think you have gum disease, consult a dental hygienist. While a dentist looks after teeth, a dental hygienist offers specialised care for gums, including the management of periodontal disease.

Following a thorough evaluation of your gum health, treatment is carried out with focused cleanings, known as root surface debridement and often referred to as ‘deep cleaning’. This treatment involves cleaning under the gums and the use of specific instruments that remove plaque and deposits away from the teeth and gums.

Is it possible to reverse gum disease?

As long as the causes of early stage gum disease (gingivitis) are correctly identified and the patient is persistent in improving their oral hygiene and seeking necessary treatment, gum disease can be reversible. The prognosis is best when treatment is obtained in early stages of gingivitis. At this stage, the affected person usually just needs a professional dental cleaning and more thorough brushing and flossing to reverse the disease. Once the bacteria spreads to the bones in periodontitis, irreversible changes can start to take place with loss of attachment of the gums and bone loss. Therefore, it is very important to catch and treat gum disease as early as possible.

How is gum disease managed in children?

A child should start having his or her teeth brushed with a pea-sized amount of toothpaste beginning at 12 months of age. Emphasis should be placed on brushing all surfaces of the teeth including the gum line. As soon as the gaps between the teeth start to close, it is important to start flossing. At the beginning, the parents should establish a routine to brush the teeth so the child can get used to it. As soon as the child is able, the brushing and flossing should be passed over to him or her and monitored by the parent to ensure good thorough technique and consistency. According to the American Dental Association, a child should get regular dental visits starting at about one year of age. Abiding by these guidelines will help prevent and treat gum disease in most children.

It is common for there to be an increase in gingivitis during puberty due to the hormonal changes that occur throughout the body. Adolescents should be monitored for good oral hygiene habits and taken to the dentist regularly to treat gum disease with professional dental cleanings.

How is gum disease managed in pregnancy?

Many women who become pregnant think that they should avoid the dentist to keep their pregnancy safe, but they shouldn't miss their professional cleanings as long as they feel strong and comfortable enough. During pregnancy, women are at risk of developing pregnancy gingivitis. Because of the increase in hormones that occurs with pregnancy, the gum tissues are more susceptible to attack from bacteria and other pathogens. Pregnant women will often notice an increase in swollen, bleeding gums even if their oral hygiene has remained consistent. It may be necessary to get dental cleanings more often than usual during pregnancy to help combat this increased risk.

Is it possible to prevent gum disease?

Prevention of gingivitis and periodontitis is very simple in most cases. Gum disease is best prevented through proper plaque control. This involves brushing to remove plaque from the outer surfaces of the teeth and flossing to remove food particles and plaque from in between the teeth. Electronic toothbrushes tend to make it easier to remove plaque from some of the harder to reach areas of the mouth. Using a mouthwash after brushing and flossing can also help by reducing the bacteria that cause gingivitis.

Besides these basic oral hygiene practices, there are other things that can be done to eliminate the factors that lead to an increase in gum disease:

• Sleep/stress: The immune system is very important in controlling disease, and getting adequate sleep and reducing stress will help the body fight gum disease, too.
• Stop smoking: Smokers are much more likely to develop gingivitis and periodontitis. Avoiding tobacco should be a primary goal to achieve healthy gums.
• Orthodontic therapy or braces: It is much easier to remove plaque from straight teeth than crowded, overlapped, and crooked teeth. Braces can make a big difference in having healthier gums.
• Diet: Limiting the frequency of plaque-causing sugars and carbohydrates will help limit plaque. Eating a well-balanced diet will help keep the body's immune system healthy and ready to fight infection.

What is the best toothpaste to use to prevent gum disease?

The goal of toothbrushing is to remove plaque on the teeth that will harbor bacteria and cause gum disease and tooth decay. Just about any toothpaste when used with consistent thorough brushing habits will accomplish this goal. Fluoride in toothpaste, particularly stannous fluoride, helps to kill mouth bacteria. There are other ingredients in toothpastes that help remove plaque more effectively and help keep plaque off the teeth after they have been brushed. The abrasive agents in toothpaste such as silicates and calcium carbonates help remove sticky plaque. Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is a detergent in toothpaste that causes the foaming effect of toothpastes. Toothpastes vary in the amount of SLS they contain; a high concentration of SLS can cause problems for patients who have dry mouth or low saliva flow. Some toothpastes include plaque-control agents such as pyrophosphates and zinc citrate that prevent plaque from sticking to the teeth after they've been brushed. Using a toothpaste that contains any combination of these ingredients will increase the effectiveness of oral hygiene.

Is gum disease contagious?

While most of the factors that lead to gingivitis and periodontal disease are dependent on the individual, there has been some limited scientific evidence to affirm that gingivitis and periodontitis-causing bacteria can be passed down from parents to children and between couples.

Routine visits and a tailored oral hygiene routine will keep your gums in good health. Book an appointment at Tower Dental today for peace of mind - 9817 7144.

We welcome all patients from Hawthorn, Mont Albert, Surrey Hills, Camberwell, Kew and surrounding suburbs.