All about bleeding gums
Bleeding gums could hint at more serious ailments
Posted on : Mon, 26 Mar 2007 03:54:01 GMT | Author : DPA
News Category : Health
Berlin Thanks to advances in dental hygiene and technology, more people are keeping their own teeth into old age. But keeping them is only half the battle, and one that's destined to fail if the gums the tissue that actually holds the teeth in place aren't kept healthy. According to German Periodontal Aid, based in Herne, more than two of every three adults suffers from some kind of bacterial disease of the gums. Known as periodontal disease, it's often detected far too late.
"In most cases, there's an infection of the gums, or gingivitis, which is the precursor to periodontal disease," explains Dietmar Oesterreich, vice president of the Federal Council of Dentists in Berlin. Plaque promotes these infections, first in tooth gaps and then along the edge of the gums. Symptoms include bleeding gums, redness and swelling.
If steps aren't taken against the bacteria, the infection can invade the entire mouth the jawbone, periodontal ligaments and the roots of the teeth and invade the apparatus that holds the teeth in their place. Patients usually don't notice what's going on.
"Early symptoms of periodontal disease include bone degeneration, receding gums, bad breath and a foul taste," says Oesterreich. At some point, the tooth loses its grip and simply falls out.
"If the bone is affected, the bacteria can get into the bloodstream," says Stephan Martin, medical director of the West German Diabetes and Health Centre in Dusseldorf. "That increases the risk of a heart attack or a stroke."
The earlier periodontal disease is recognized, the sooner therapy can begin. Many insurance companies cover a diagnosis, known as a Periodontal Screening Index. "The dentist will check out vital areas with a small measuring probe to see how deep the pockets are between the teeth and gums," explains Wolfgang Koch of German Periodontal Aid. That tests the pockets' depth, how prone they are to bleeding and whether the tooth surface is coarse or uneven.
The first step in therapy is to remove any substance that might be promoting infection. "If severe bone degradation has begun or if the teeth are loose, there are surgical treatments or drug regimes that can be used to encourage tissue regeneration," says Oesterreich.
But it doesn't have to go this far. Factors like heredity or hormonal changes are out of a person's control. But smoking, obesity, stress, poor dental hygiene or diets heavy in carbohydrates and sugar are all factors a person can change.
It's vital to brush twice daily and use floss. It's also advisable to clean the back of the tongue with a tongue scraper. "Home dental hygiene is reinforced with regular dentist visits and professional teeth cleanings by a dental hygienist or a dental assistant," says Koch. Not only do these treatments remove potentially harmful material, they also include a fluoride treatment and tooth polishing.
Posted on : Mon, 26 Mar 2007 03:54:01 GMT | Author : DPA
News Category : Health
Berlin Thanks to advances in dental hygiene and technology, more people are keeping their own teeth into old age. But keeping them is only half the battle, and one that's destined to fail if the gums the tissue that actually holds the teeth in place aren't kept healthy. According to German Periodontal Aid, based in Herne, more than two of every three adults suffers from some kind of bacterial disease of the gums. Known as periodontal disease, it's often detected far too late.
"In most cases, there's an infection of the gums, or gingivitis, which is the precursor to periodontal disease," explains Dietmar Oesterreich, vice president of the Federal Council of Dentists in Berlin. Plaque promotes these infections, first in tooth gaps and then along the edge of the gums. Symptoms include bleeding gums, redness and swelling.
If steps aren't taken against the bacteria, the infection can invade the entire mouth the jawbone, periodontal ligaments and the roots of the teeth and invade the apparatus that holds the teeth in their place. Patients usually don't notice what's going on.
"Early symptoms of periodontal disease include bone degeneration, receding gums, bad breath and a foul taste," says Oesterreich. At some point, the tooth loses its grip and simply falls out.
"If the bone is affected, the bacteria can get into the bloodstream," says Stephan Martin, medical director of the West German Diabetes and Health Centre in Dusseldorf. "That increases the risk of a heart attack or a stroke."
The earlier periodontal disease is recognized, the sooner therapy can begin. Many insurance companies cover a diagnosis, known as a Periodontal Screening Index. "The dentist will check out vital areas with a small measuring probe to see how deep the pockets are between the teeth and gums," explains Wolfgang Koch of German Periodontal Aid. That tests the pockets' depth, how prone they are to bleeding and whether the tooth surface is coarse or uneven.
The first step in therapy is to remove any substance that might be promoting infection. "If severe bone degradation has begun or if the teeth are loose, there are surgical treatments or drug regimes that can be used to encourage tissue regeneration," says Oesterreich.
But it doesn't have to go this far. Factors like heredity or hormonal changes are out of a person's control. But smoking, obesity, stress, poor dental hygiene or diets heavy in carbohydrates and sugar are all factors a person can change.
It's vital to brush twice daily and use floss. It's also advisable to clean the back of the tongue with a tongue scraper. "Home dental hygiene is reinforced with regular dentist visits and professional teeth cleanings by a dental hygienist or a dental assistant," says Koch. Not only do these treatments remove potentially harmful material, they also include a fluoride treatment and tooth polishing.
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