The Dental Consequences

Introduction

75% of all adult tooth loss is due to periodontal disease. When your gums and bone are damaged by periodontal infection there is less support for your teeth. As this support disappears, your teeth first become loose and then can be lost. When your dentist or periodontist recommends periodontal treatment, it is important to get started right away.

Natural Teeth Must Be Replaced

If the infection continues, you can start to lose your teeth, one at a time. These lost teeth will have to be replaced with dental work, such as:

• Bridges
• Dental implants
• Partial dentures
• Full dentures
• Dentures

If tooth loss continues, it can lead to dentures. Many patients don't understand the full consequences of wearing dentures. There can be many problems with dentures including:

1. Inability to eat certain foods
2. Lowered ability to feel and taste foods
3. Lisping or clacking when speaking
4. Bad breath or smell
5. Pain or discomfort
6. The look of dentures
7. Self-consciousness and embarrassment
8. Looking old
9. Having to remove and soak them at night
10. Your spouse seeing you without teeth at night

The Medical Consequences of Periodontal Disease

"People think of gum disease in terms of their teeth, but they don't think about the fact that gum disease is a serious infection that can release bacteria into the bloodstream" -
Dr. Robert Genco, editor Journal of Periodontology

Heart Disease & Heart Attack

Recent studies have shown that people with periodontal disease are 2.7 times more likely to suffer a heart attack.

Stroke

Studies have also shown that people with periodontal disease are 3 times more likely to suffer a stroke.

Pre-Term Childbirth

Women with periodontal disease are 7-8 times more likely to give birth prematurely to a low birth-weight baby.

Diabetes

Periodontal infection can raise blood sugar in diabetic patients. Periodontal treatment often results in a reduced need for insulin.

Respiratory Disease

Periodontal infection in the mouth can be breathed in and increase the severity of such respiratory diseases as pneumonia, bronchitis and emphysema.

Your Bacteria Can Be Transmitted

Research using DNA testing has found that periodontal bacteria can be transmitted from parent to child and spouse to spouse.

Periodontal Infection is a Medical Problem

Periodontal disease is no longer thought to be just a dental problem. Researchers are finding many correlations between periodontal infection and serious medical problems.

Some Patients are At Higher Risk

These correlations are particularly serious for those patients who are in a higher risk category such as:

Those having a personal or family history of:

• Heart disease
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Premature childbirth
• Diabetes
• Respiratory diseases
  

Those having higher risk lifestyles, including:

• Chronic stress
• Smoker
• Sedentary and overweight
• Frequent colds, flu, etc.
  

Higher Risk Patients

If you have been told you have a periodontal infection, or some of its symptoms, it is vital that you seek evaluation and treatment.