How Gum Disease Affects Your Health

Dentists and patients have an obsession with healthy gums. There are brands of toothpaste and mouth rinses that tout their ability to fight plaque and gingivitis. Manual and electric tooth brushes detail the features that are specifically designed to fight periodontal disease and bacterial plaque. How important is this battle with gum disease? How much healthier will we be without periodontitis?

Periodontitis is the more serious form of gum disease that results in loss of the bone that supports teeth and finally, tooth loss. Studies link periodontitis to cardiovascular disease including stroke and heart disease, diabetes and low birth weight. Dentists know this.

Every dental exam and cleaning (prophylaxis) should include a gum exam. Every patient hears the dentist call off numbers to their assistant. Here is the key. Zero through three millimeters represent gingival health. If the dentist says anything above five, that is a serious problem.

Adult teeth should not move much. If the dentist declares a tooth has mobility, that is a problem. That means that the bone around that tooth is missing or unhealthy. Gauge periodontitis by the amount of bone loss. Teeth that are missing about 50% of their boney support or more are not salvageable; the treatment for 50% bone loss is usually extraction.

Dentists should recommend treatment for patients who have gum disease. First, everyone must brush their teeth two or three times per day. Flossing once a day is essential. If the results of your gum exam does not match your brushing and flossing efforts, ask one of the members of your dental team to check your technique.

More frequent check ups are a simple way to improve gingival health. Twice a year check ups and dental prophylaxis is a standard for healthy patients. Patients who have mild to severe gum disease are better off seeing a dentist four times a year. More severe gum disease calls for more advanced treatment. Periodontal surgery improves health by changing the shape of the gums around the teeth or lessens the depth of periodontal pockets.

Blue Cross / Blue Shield of Massachusetts offers an enhanced dental benefit to all of their clients who have Dental Blue and a history of medical conditions including heart disease, diabetes and pregnancy. This benefit is automatic for any client who has both their medical and dental insurance. Those who only have the dental insurance produce must ask their physician to submit a half page form to describe their condition. The benefit includes up to four dental checkups per year with 100% coverage. Delta Dental of Massachusetts offers a similar benefit to any client who has gum disease as evidenced by a single claim for gum treatment. This kind of coverage is relatively new, so dental office staff may not fully understand who is eligible or how to bill for the benefit. It is always helpful when patients understand their coverage before their dental appointment.

The best treatment for periodontal disease is prevention. Consider the value of regular brushing and flossing against the cost of non-surgical gum treatments (hundreds of dollars), periodontal surgery (thousands of dollars) or the inconvenience and cost of replacing missing teeth (implants, bridgework, dentures). Maintain healthy teeth and gums with regular dental checkups. If your dentist diagnoses gum disease, early treatment will be less expensive than waiting. Additionally, a second opinion may increase your confidence and satisfaction.