Preventing Gum Disease for Overall Health Worth Smiling About

If you’re not taking care of your oral health, you could be jeopardizing a lot more than your pearly whites. That’s because researchers have linked gum disease with a host of health problems throughout the body.⁴

According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, up to 80 percent of American adults have some form of periodontal (gum) disease.² The disease is caused by the natural build up of bacteria, mucus, and other particles on the teeth as plaque.² If plaque is not properly cleaned away, it can infect the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth.²

Gingivitis Can Lead to Health Problems

Many people have mild cases of gum disease, called gingivitis, which is characterized by swollen, red, and bleeding gums.^{2, 6} If left untreated, gingivitis can grow into a more serious form of gum disease called periodontitis, which affects about 12 percent of Americans.^{2, 6, 9} Periodontitis is when gums pull away from the teeth, causing pockets that can become infected.^{2, 6} Infection triggers the body’s immune system, which fights the bacteria as it spreads below the gums.²

Researchers believe that periodontal disease may cause health problems throughout the body^{4, 5} by circulating bacteria from the mouth through the bloodstream, causing new infections.^{5, 7} Inflammation, which can damage tissues, also may occur in other places in the body as a result of the activated immune system.⁷ These conditions increase the risk for heart disease and stroke.^{5, 7}

People with diabetes can have problems^3,5 because high glucose levels in saliva may help bacteria thrive.¹ For pregnant women, periodontal disease increases the chance of delivering a premature baby.^{4, 5}

Keep Gingivitis at Bay

Thankfully gingivitis can be prevented and even reversed with good oral hygiene.² Do your health a favor and take care of your gums by following the steps below:

• Brush your teeth gently twice a day^1,2,4 with a soft-bristled brush.⁸ Bristles should contact both the tooth surface and the gum line.⁸

• Floss daily to clean between your teeth.^1,2,4

• If you smoke, quit.^2,4,8

• Avoid sugary snacks and beverages.⁷

• See your dentist regularly for checkups and professional cleanings.^1,2,4

¹ “Diabetes and Oral Health.” American Dental Association. www.ada.org/sections/scienceAndResearch/pdfs/patient_18.pdf. Accessed 2010.

² "Periodontal (Gum) Disease: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment.” National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. www.nidcr.nih.gov/OralHealth/Topics/GumDiseases/PeriodontalGumDisease.htm. Accessed 2010.

³ “Periodontal Disease and Diabetes: A Two-Way Street.” Brian L. Mealey. Journal of the American Dental Association. October 2006, vol. 137, suppl. 2, pp. 26S-31S.

⁴ “Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body.” Journal of the American Dental Association. April 2006, vol. 137, no. 4, p. 563.

⁵ “Mouth Body Connection.” American Academy of Periodontology. www.perio.org/consumer/mbc.top2.htm Accessed 2010.

⁶ “Types of Gum Disease.” American Academy of Periodontology. www.perio.org/consumer/2a.html Accessed 2010.

⁷ “Something to Smile About: Care of Your Periodontal and Overall Health.” American Academy of Periodontology. www.perio.org/consumer/brochures/well-brochure-inserts.pdf Accessed 2010.

⁸ “Prevent Diabetes Problems: Keep Your Teeth and Gums Healthy.” The National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, the National Insitute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the National Institutes of Health. http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/complications_teeth/#day Accessed 2010.

⁹ "Scientists Sequence Genome of Major Periodontal Disease Bacterium." National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. www.nidcr.nih.gov/Research/ResearchResults/NewsReleases/ArchivedNewsReleases/NRY2001/PR06122001.htm Accessed 2010.