Gum Disease
The Mouth/ Body connection
There is a connection between a healthy mouth and a healthy body. Bleeding gums, visible root surfaces and loose teeth are not normal at any age. These are usually signs of an infection called periodontal (gum) disease. Increasing medical evidence suggest that an unhealthy mouth may worsen serious medical problems, like heart disease, stroke and diabetes.Gum disease (Periodontal Disease) is a bacterial infection that very slowly damages the bone holding the tooth in your jaw. If left unchecked, the bacteria produce toxins that destroy the bone surrounding the teeth. Little by little, your teeth will have less bone support and will eventually need gum surgery or extraction. You know you have an active infection of this type if your gums bleed when you floss or brush. The skin surrounding your teeth should be no more fragile than the skin between your fingers. If the skin between your fingers bled from gentle pressure, you would not perceive that as natural. Bleeding is not normal for healthy tissue in the mouth either.
Gum disease that is active before age 35 is very serious. It may be an indication of a very severe kind of infective process that is extremely resistant to even the best methods of treatment.
Other factors that put you in a “higher risk category” for gum disease are:
- Smoking (makes your risk 70% higher)
- Diabetes
- Osteoporosis
- Compromised immune system disorders (diabetes, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis, etc.)
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Drug induced gum conditions - for example: long term steroid use, use of calcium channel blockers, seizure medications and immunosupressants medications
Does insurance cover the various treatments for gum disease?
We will do our best to ensure that you receive all the coverage available on your plan for the treatment you need. There are no insurance plans that cover all the modern methods of treating gum disease. It is simply a matter of how much coverage your employer chose when negotiating your plan with the insurance company. It is important to understand that dental insurance is not like medical insurance. Dental insurance is never intended to cover all necessary procedures. It is considered supplemental. The standard of care in modern dentistry has nothing to do with what insurance covers. In any case, if you have bleeding gums, then you have gum disease and it should not be ignored. Our business office has specialties too, and they will help you find a way to afford thorough care if your insurance falls short of that objective.
Self-Evaluation Quiz:
Do YOU have a Periodontal Infection?
You may be at risk for periodontal disease, the #1 cause of adult tooth loss.
To find out if you’re at risk, please check off all the disease indicators that apply to you:
[] Do YOU smoke?
[] Do YOU have Diabetes?
[] Is YOUR diet low in important nutrients?
[] Are YOU currently taking any medications such as heart
medications, antidepressants, or oral contraceptives?
[] Are YOU pregnant?
[] Do any family members have gum disease?
[] Do YOU have bad breath?
[] Do YOU grind or clench YOUR teeth?
[] Are YOU under a great deal of stress?
[] Are YOUR gums red and swollen?
[] Do YOUR gums bleed when brushing or flossing?
[] Are YOUR gums pulling away from your teeth or receding?
[] Do YOU have teeth that appear to be loosening?
[] Have YOU noticed a change in the way your teeth fit together?
[] Have YOU recently lost any teeth
If you checked off 2 or more disease indicators, you may be at risk for periodontal disease. Please ask your dental professional to measure your pockets and check for infection!