Our mouths are the entry point in our bodies to all the other systems.
If you have an infection in your mouth, the bacteria gets into the bloodstream and is constantly circulating throughout the body. There are many studies now correlating gum disease to complications with diabetes because bacteria get into already compromised blood vessels and circulation. Cardiac physicians are also paying more attention to the health of their patient’s mouths because bacteria in the bloodstream can cause serious cardiac issues.
Toothbrushes and floss manage plaque above the gums but are only able to penetrate 1-3 mm below the gums to clean. Within 24 hours, any plaque left on your teeth turns into tartar (hard plaque) which can no longer be removed without help from your hygienist. Bacteria move into the tartar and act like barnacles on the side of a boat. They provide a surface that is irritating and rough to the gums. Gums swell and get inflamed and try to move away from the barnacle. This starts a retraction of the gum down the root.
This is a major problem because exposed roots can be sensitive to temperature and touch, annoy us when we are trying to eat or drink, and are softer and more prone to decay and damage from tooth brushing. There is no enamel on the roots! It takes on average three months for the bacteria to produce enough toxic material around the tooth to start dissolving the bone.
This is why, if you are diagnosed with periodontal disease, your hygienist will prescribe seeing you on a three-month care for periodontal therapy. Recession can be a result of aggressive brushing, the result of active or healed gum disease, or improperly aligned teeth. Our job is to figure out which it is. If it is due to brushing, we can teach you new, gentler brushing techniques.
Active gum disease requires treatment planning and some time with your hygienist. You can’t clean into deep pockets at home. With periodontal scaling and root planing, the roots become smooth and bacteria-free, the gums get pink and healthy, and swollen gums shrink and heal. The result of this is that some recession may occur, but a recession is better than having a pocket you can’t clean! With your help, we can maintain stable healthy gums for a lifetime.
