Gum disease by Ray Sahelian, M.D.

Periodontal disease is caused by bacteria in plaque -- the sticky, colorless film of bacteria that constantly forms on teeth. These bacteria create toxins (poisons) which irritate the gums and result in a loosening of the attachment of gum tissues to teeth. Over time, these toxins destroy gum tissues, allowing the infection to progress to bone loss. Furthermore, plaque that is not removed can combine with other materials and harden into a rough, porous deposit called calculus (tartar). Calculus on the root surface, below the gums, makes removal of new plaque and bacteria more difficult.

Gum Disease treatment

Stop smoking
 

Brush your teeth at least twice every day. Brushing removes plaque from the inner, outer, and chewing surfaces of each tooth. Get a new toothbrush every few months. Floss once or twice a day. Flossing removes plaque between the teeth that a toothbrush cannot reach. Avoid too many sweets, and brush your teeth after eating sweets.

Try a grape fruit - eating grapefruit could help fight gum disease. Researchers found people with gum disease who ate two grapefruit a day for a fortnight showed significantly less bleeding from the gums. They believe this is due to an increase in blood levels of vitamin C, known to promote wound healing and cut damage by unstable free radical molecules. The research, by Friedrich Schiller University in Germany, is published in the British Dental Journal. The study of 58 people with chronic gum disease found that eating grapefruits had a positive effect on both smokers and non-smokers. At the start of the two-week study, virtually all those taking part had low levels of vitamin C in their blood plasma. On average smokers' vitamin C level was 29% lower than that for non-smokers. Eating two grapefruit a day raised vitamin C plasma levels for all those who consumed them. In smokers, the level almost doubled, but because they started from a lower baseline their average vitamin C level was still lower than that recorded in the non-smokers. It is unclear why smoking is associated with lower vitamin C levels. It is possible that it alters the way the body metabolizes the vitamin, but it is also possible that smokers tend to have a less healthy diet. Grapefruit also has many flavonoids which could have an influence on gum disease.

Antioxidant components in red wine and grape seeds have anti-inflammatory effects that may ward off periodontal troubles such as gum disease. Red wine's antioxidant punch from flavonoids could be a useful weapon in the fight against gum disease.

Topical application of the eicosapentaenoic acid-derived resolvin E1 (RvE1) helps prevent soft tissue inflammation and destruction, as well as bone loss associated with periodontal disease. Inflammation may be a good target in the treatment of gum disease. Resolvins are a new family of biologically active products of omega-3 fatty acids and natural regulators of the inflammatory process. Gum disease is similar to other chronic inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis, where inflammation causes tissue damage. Currently, oral hygiene and regular dental care are used to control plaque and prevent gum disease. However, plaque control may not be enough to prevent gum disease in susceptible people with a high inflammatory response.

Cause of Tooth and Gum Disease
Poor dental care which involves little brushing and flossing

Junk food consumption with lots of sugar and refined carbohydrates

Smoking - Smokers are more than 6 times more likely to develop gum disease than non-smokers but kicking the habit can prevent them from losing their teeth prematurely. Chronic gum disease in smokers significantly improves after they quit. Smokers are more prone to chronic gum disease than non-smokers because the habit has a detrimental effect on the body's immune system. Their bodies are less well equipped to fight the build up of bacteria in plaque that accumulates on the teeth.

Periodontal disease

Bacteria cause the gums to become inflamed, recede and bleed. In more severe cases of periodontal disease the gums recede and the bone that holds the teeth in place gradually erodes, so the teeth either fall out or need to be extracted.

Gum Disease and Diabetes

Standard treatment for moderately inflamed gums around the teeth -- periodontitis -- can help people with diabetes keep their blood sugar levels under control. Diabetic patients have a higher risk of developing periodontal disease than do non-diabetics, so control of diet, exercise and inflammation in periodontitis is essential.

Gum Disease and Stroke
Making regular visits to the dentist not only protects the teeth, it also may protect the carotid arteries -- the main blood vessels leading to the brain. Gum disease may contribute to clogged carotids, leading to an increased risk of stroke. Chronic inflammation arising from dental disease has been implicated in the development of atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries -- a key risk factor for stroke. Advanced carotid artery blockages contain calcium, and can be imaged when a dentist takes a panoramic x-ray of the teeth. Untreated dental disease may in some way accelerate the atherosclerotic process.
   Missing teeth, loss of bone around teeth and reduced periodontal health appear to be associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke, the type caused by blood clots.

Gum disease and pancreatic cancer

Gum disease might raise a person's risk of pancreatic cancer by causing general inflammation through the body. Men who have periodontal disease have a higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer than men with healthy teeth and gums. Men who lose teeth within the past few years are especially likely to develop pancreatic cancer.

Gum Disease symptom

In the early stage of gingivitis, the gums can become red and swollen and bleed easily, often during tooth brushing. Bleeding, although not always a symptom of gingivitis, is a signal that your mouth is unhealthy and needs attention. The gums may be irritated, but the teeth are still firmly planted in their sockets. No bone or other tissue damage has occurred at this stage. When gingivitis is left untreated, it can advance to periodontitis. At this point, the inner layer of the gum and bone pull away from the teeth (recede) and form pockets. These small spaces between teeth and gums may collect debris and can become infected. The body's immune system fights the bacteria as the plaque spreads and grows below the gum line. Bacterial toxins and the body's enzymes fighting the infection actually start to break down the bone and connective tissue that hold teeth in place. As the disease progresses, the pockets deepen and more gum tissue and bone are destroyed.

Prevalence of Gum Disease
About 15 million people in the United States alone suffer from gum disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia. The risk of developing the illness increased with the number of cigarettes smoked daily.

Gum disease emails
Q. Does CoQ10 help with gum disease or gingivitis?
   A. It's difficult to say whether CoQ10 has an influence on gum disease. I am waiting for more studies to be published on this relationship.

Q. Would you be able to tell me how to make mouthwash with stevia. I have some early signs of gum disease and I would like to try stevia mouthwash to see if it helps.
   A. Beyond placing stevia powder or stevia liquid in water, I don't know what more to do. This is not an area I have looked into.