Health & Wellness - Jan 17

10 & January 2017 | Read this issue and more at www.healthandwellnessmagazine.net | Like us @healthykentucky
The
Challenges
of Gum
Disease
PREVENTION IS IMPORTANT IF YOU
WANT TO SAVE YOUR SMILE
The longer plaque and tartar are
on teeth, the more harmful they
become.
Do you smoke? Did you know
smoking is one of the most significant
risk factors associated with
the development of gum disease?
Smoking can lower the chances for
successful treatment.
Has your physician told you that
you have an autoimmune disease
such as diabetes? Then you are at
higher risk for developing infections,
including gum disease. Other
diseases such as AIDS and its treatments
can also negatively affect
gum health, and so can some cancer
treatments. Hormonal changes may
also be a risk factor; they cause
gums to be more sensitive, resulting
in gingivitis. There are also genetic
factors that may lead to gum disease.
Dental researchers have observed
that people with gum disease are
more likely to develop heart disease
or have difficulty controlling blood
sugar when compared to people
without gum disease.
The basic cause of periodontal
or gum disease is the bacteria in the
mouth. These bacteria, along with
mucus and other particles, constantly
form a sticky, colorless plaque on teeth.
Brushing and flossing help get rid of
plaque. Plaque that is not removed
can harden and form tartar that brushing
doesn’t clean. Only a professional
cleaning by a dental hygienist a couple
of times a year can remove tartar. The
longer plaque and tartar are on teeth,
the more harmful they become. The
bacteria cause inflammation of the
gums, a condition called gingivitis, in
which the gums become red and swollen
and bleed easily.