Perio Disease Info

PERIODONTAL DISEASE INFO

Periodontal disease or gum disease is the most common dental problem and a major cause of tooth loss in adults today. It has been identified that 95%of our population suffers from some form of periodontal disease.  A high percentage of those people don't even realize they have a "gum" problem since it is painless in the early to mid stages of progression. Many people believe that when they brush and floss it is "normal" for their gums to bleed.  Actually, that is an indicator of active, destructive bacteria called biofilm.  Biofilm used to be called dental plaque but we now know it is a much more sophisticated colony of bacteria that communicates very well throughout our body once introduced into the blood stream. Research suggests that there may be a link between periodontal disease and other health concerns, such as cardiovascular problems, stroke and bacterial pneumonia. Pregnant women with gum disease are also at an increased risk of delivering pre-term, low weight babies.

The good news is that with your good homecare and regular visits with your dental hygienist gum disease can be prevented.  When you come in to see our dental hygienists Claire and Melissa, they will provide you with more information on your periodontal health and tailor a plan just for you to achieve optimal oral health!

Avoid gum disease by practicing these simple steps:

1. Floss every day. Flossing removes biofilm from between your teeth and under your gumline where your toothbrush can’t reach. Floss before your brush your teeth, preferably before you go to bed at night.
2. Brush your teeth after eating. At the very least, brush after breakfast and never forget to brush before you go to bed.
3. Maintain a healthy lifestyle. That means a nutritious diet, low in sucrose and abstinence from tobacco which has been linked to the progression of periodontal disease.
4. Visit your dental hygienist regularly for professional cleanings and advice.