How Stress Affects Your Oral Health Part 2:
Poor Oral Hygiene
Being under extreme stress may affect your mood and cause you to skip oral hygiene habits such as flossing and brushing.
If you don’t take care of your mouth, your teeth and overall oral health can suffer. If you already have gum disease, skipping daily hygiene may worsen the problem. If your mouth is in relatively good health, falling down on brushing, flossing, and rinsing can lead to gum disease or increase your risk of cavities.
When under stress, you may also develop unhealthy eating habits, such as snacking on large amounts of sugary foods or drinks. These habits increase the risk for tooth decay and other problems.
Just reminding yourself of the importance of hygiene and healthy eating may help. Boosting or resuming your exercise routine can help you relieve stress and feel energized enough to tend to your oral hygiene and cook healthier meals. Exercise will also boost your immune system — and that, too, is good for your oral health.
Gum Disease
Stress can cause an increase in dental plaque, even when the high stress levels are short term. That’s according to a study that evaluated people who cared for loved ones with dementia and who experienced stress.
Long-term, the stress these caregivers felt boosted their risk of bleeding gums, or gingivitis, which can progress to serious gum disease.
Stress can lead to depression. And depressed patients, according to recent research, have twice the risk of an unfavorable outcome from gum disease treatment compared to those who aren’t depressed.
You can’t make depression or the stress disappear, of course. But experts say that learning healthy coping strategies can help reduce the risk of gum problems getting worse. Healthy coping is “problem-focused” with active and practical strategies to deal with the stress and depression, experts say.
Remember, eating a balanced diet, seeing your dentist regularly, and good oral hygiene help reduce your risks of periodontal disease. Make sure you brush twice a day and floss daily. Antibacterial mouth rinses also help reduce plaque-causing bacteria.
Source: webmd.com
Types of Gum Disease
Periodontal (gum) diseases, including gingivitis and periodontitis, are serious infections that, left untreated, can lead to tooth loss. The word periodontal literally means “around the tooth.” Periodontal disease is a chronic bacterial infection that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth. Periodontal disease can affect one tooth or many teeth. It begins when the bacteria in plaque (the sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth) causes the gums to become inflamed.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the mildest form of periodontal disease. It causes the gums to become red, swollen, and bleed easily. There is usually little or no discomfort at this stage. Gingivitis is often caused by inadequate oral hygiene. Gingivitis is reversible with professional treatment and good oral home care.
Periodontitis
Untreated gingivitis can advance to periodontitis. With time, plaque can spread and grow below the gum line. Toxins produced by the bacteria in plaque irritate the gums. The toxins stimulate a chronic inflammatory response in which the body in essence turns on itself, and the tissues and bone that support the teeth are broken down and destroyed. Gums separate from the teeth, forming pockets (spaces between the teeth and gums) that become infected. As the disease progresses, the pockets deepen and more gum tissue and bone are destroyed. Often, this destructive process has very mild symptoms. Eventually, teeth can become loose and may have to be removed.
There are many forms of periodontitis. The most common ones include the following.
- Aggressive periodontitis occurs in patients who are otherwise clinically healthy. Common features include rapid attachment loss and bone destruction and familial aggregation.
- Chronic periodontitis results in inflammation within the supporting tissues of the teeth, progressive attachment and bone loss. This is the most frequently occurring form of periodontitis and is characterized by pocket formation and/or recession of the gingiva. It is prevalent in adults, but can occur at any age. Progression of attachment loss usually occurs slowly, but periods of rapid progression can occur.
- Periodontitis as a manifestation of systemic diseases often begins at a young age. Systemic conditions such as heart disease, respiratory disease, and diabetes are associated with this form of periodontitis.
- Necrotizing periodontal disease is an infection characterized by necrosis of gingival tissues, periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. These lesions are most commonly observed in individuals with systemic conditions such as HIV infection, malnutrition and immunosuppression.
Source: Perio.org
Birth Control Pills & Gum Disease Risk
Various oral contraceptives appear to have differing effects on a woman’s risk of developing gum disease — the leading cause of tooth loss. A number of studies have suggested that sex hormones influence the progression of gum disease. At least one study has found that levels of gum disease-causing bacteria in a woman’s mouth may increase after she begins using oral contraceptives.
Source: articles.mercola.com
Chronic Gum Disease
Why does the chronic stage of gum disease sometimes change to an acute and painful stage?Examples of toxic stresses are medical conditions like diabetes and AIDS, or chemical insults like synthetic additives in the processed foods most people eat every day.
The worst case scenario is when your immune system is so over burdened by toxic stresses, including the toxins from germs, that the germs in your infected gums can over whelm your immune system.
You can then end up with the symptoms of a painful gum abscess. By this time the nerve in your tooth is also infected, because the germs in your infected gums can pass through tiny pores in the root, called dentinal tubules, and into the nerve. Your tooth has become infected internally and externally, surrounded by abscessed, infected tissue which has replaced the jaw bone destroyed by the gum infection. Sometimes you will see pus and blood oozing from the gum margin of the painful tooth.
Now your advanced gum disease has arrived at the final acute stage of periodontal disease. Even if prompt dental treatment, usually with antibiotics, is able to reverse the acute symptoms so that they become painless and chronic once more, the acute stage will typically make its ugly head appear again sometime after using up the prescribed antibiotics. Worse yet is the fact that this can happen to more than one tooth in your mouth.
With such severely infected teeth in your jaw bone, your body can no longer successfully heal your jaw bone. Teeth with end stage gum disease are like a foreign body in your mouth. The likelihood of saving your teeth isn’t very promising. You ultimately lose teeth, either by having them removed by a
dentist, or they come out, usually when you are eating. Not a desired outcome for most people.
Source: drpgilbert.com
Stages of Gum Disease
Gum disease and periodontal disease are one and the same.
Dentists use the name periodontal disease for gum disease. The common form of chronic gum disease is traditionally divided up into four stages as it progresses, or perhaps, we should say, as it worsens. However, the end point of the forth stage is really a separate fifth stage.
- The first stage is called gingivitis. Gingivitis is considered to be an infection characterized by inflammation. The inflammation produces bleeding from your gums, which is the most frequently occurring symptom. Your gums will bleed when you are brushing or flossing your teeth and when you are eating. Generally there is no pain.
- The second stage is called early gum disease or early periodontal disease.
At this stage of gum disease, the types of germs associated with infections that destroy living tissue, are always found in the plaque on your teeth, and in your gums. Because the infection is destructive, it breaks apart the connection of your gums to your teeth. Your gums start to separate from your teeth, forming gum pockets or spaces between your teeth and your gums. Your gums may still bleed easily.
- The third stage is called moderate gum disease. As the disease worsens and your gums become further detached from your teeth, the pockets deepen, because now the bone around your teeth is starting to be destroyed by the infection. Often, this destructive process has very mild symptoms, causing most people to have few, if any, immediate concerns. Sometimes your gums may start to recede, although many times there is no recession. Bleeding from your gums may be less frequent during this stage of gum disease.
- The forth stage is called advanced gum disease. Eventually, your teeth may become loose because a significant amount of bone supporting them is lost from the gum infection. Your gum pockets may now be almost as deep as the length of the root. You may notice some gum recession. Pain is usually still absent. Bleeding from your gums is variable, because by now the infection is mostly at the bottom of the gum pocket.
At this stage, you may begin to wonder if you are going to lose any of your teeth. You may now also realize that you have a bad taste in your mouth or suspect that you have bad breath. The truth is that a degree of unpleasant breath may have been present throughout all the previous stages, without your being aware of it.
- The last or fifth stage of gum disease is called acute gum disease. It occurs when the chronic, largely painless infection involving any number of teeth in your mouth, becomes an acute and painful gum abscess around one of those teeth. Pus mixed with blood may sometimes be seen draining out at the gum line. Now your gum disease gets your attention.
Depending on any dental treatment and the state of your immune system, your gum infection may fluctuate back and forth between the chronic stage and the acute stage. The painful symptoms of this stage of gum disease may motivate you to seek immediate dental treatment. You may find yourself losing one or more teeth in spite of receiving dental care. From the time that gingivitis, the first stage begins, until the acute final stage rears its offensive symptoms, many years may elapse.
Source: drgilbert.com
Dispelling Myths about Gum Disease
In order to help distinguish between fact and fallacy regarding periodontal disease, the AAP has identified and addressed below some common misconceptions about oral health.
- Bleeding gums are not that big of a deal.
Red, swollen and bleeding gums are an important sign of periodontal disease. If you notice bleeding while brushing or flossing, or when eating certain foods, you should schedule a visit with your dental professional to be evaluated for periodontal disease. Studies have shown that in addition to tooth loss, gum disease may contribute to the progression of other diseases, including heart disease and diabetes, so it is important that you begin treating periodontal disease as soon as possible. - You don’t need to floss every day.
Routine oral care, which includes brushing after every meal and before bedtime, and flossing at least once a day, is the best way to prevent gum disease. However, a recent survey estimates that only 13.5 percent of Americans floss each day. It is vital that you keep up with your daily oral care, and see a dental professional for a thorough check-up twice a year. If gum disease is diagnosed, a consultation with a periodontist, a dentist who specializes in treating periodontal disease, may be beneficial. - A visit to the periodontist will be scary.
Periodontists are gum disease experts. They have received three or more years of specialized training following dental school centered on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of periodontal disease. Periodontists are equipped with the latest treatments and technologies, using innovative tools such as digital radiography, ultrasound technology, biomarker measurement and laser therapy to help make your visit more comfortable. - A tooth lost to gum disease is a tooth lost forever.
Gum disease is a major cause of tooth loss in adults. However, in addition to treating gum disease, periodontists are also experts in placing dental implants – a convenient and comfortable way to permanently replace missing teeth. A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is placed into the jaw to hold a replacement tooth. Studies have shown that dental implants have a 98 percent success rate, and with proper care, allow you to speak, eat and smile with confidence. In fact, a survey conducted by the American Academy of Periodontology found that over 70 percent of respondents reported being “pleased” or “extremely satisfied” with the results of their dental implants. - Poor oral hygiene is the only way to develop gum disease.
Forgoing good oral hygiene can certainly contribute to the progression of gum disease, but there are a variety of other factors that can also impact your risk. For instance, tobacco use has been shown to greatly increase your chance of developing gum disease.
Source: Perio.org
Whoopie Goldberg and Gum Disease
Symptoms of Gum Disease
Periodontal disease is often silent, meaning symptoms may not appear until an advanced stage of the disease. However, warning signs of periodontal disease include the following:
- Red, swollen or tender gums or other pain in your mouth
- Bleeding while brushing, flossing, or eating hard food
- Gums that are receding or pulling away from the teeth, causing the teeth to look longer than before
- Loose or separating teeth
- Pus between your gums and teeth
- Sores in your mouth
- Persistent bad breath
- A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
- A change in the fit of partial dentures
- The American Academy of Periodontology’s risk assessment test will help you see if you are at risk for having or developing periodontal (gum) disease. Millions of people don’t know they have this serious infection that can lead to tooth loss if not treated.
Source: Perio.org
Turn that Frown Upside Down—Healthy Gums are Something to Smile About
Study Published in the Journal of Periodontology Suggests Gum Disease Affects How People Smile
CHICAGO—March 19, 2008—A smile is one of the most universally recognizable facial expressions, helping to depict an individual’s happiness, confidence, attractiveness, sociability and sincerity. According to a study published in the Journal of Periodontology (JOP), the official publication of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP), a smile may also help convey healthy teeth and gums. Researchers found evidence that periodontal, or gum, disease may negatively affect an individual’s smiling patterns and deter someone from displaying positive emotions through a smile.
The study, conducted at the University of Michigan, evaluated the smiling patterns of 21 periodontal patients while viewing a segment of a comedy program. At predetermined measurement points throughout the segment, the researchers assessed three dimensions of each patient’s smile: the horizontal width of the mouth in millimeters, the open width of the mouth in millimeters, and the number of teeth shown. In addition, the researchers also noted the number of times the patient covered his or her mouth while watching the segment. Individual perceptions of how the patient’s quality of life is affected by oral health were also considered. The data were then evaluated along with a clinical exam of the patient’s periodontal health.
“Since periodontal disease is prevalent in such a large number of adults, we sought to investigate if the disease affects a person’s smiling behavior,” said study author Dr. Marita R. Inglehart. “Smiling plays a significant and essential role in overall well-being. Previous findings suggest that smiling can affect social interactions, self-confidence and can influence how people perceive one another.”
The study findings indicated that periodontal disease can certainly impact how a person smiles. The more symptoms of gum disease found in a patient’s mouth, such as periodontal pockets between four to six millimeters deep or loose, moving teeth, the more likely the patient was to cover his or her mouth when smiling or to limit how widely the mouth opened during the smile. In addition, the more gum recession seen in the patient, the fewer teeth he or she showed when smiling. The way patients perceived their quality of life as a result of their oral health was also significantly correlated with the number of teeth affected by periodontal disease.
“It is already widely known that periodontal disease is connected to systemic health,” said Dr. Susan Karabin, DDS, President of the AAP. “These results help demonstrate that periodontal disease may affect more than just overall health. It can also impact actual quality of life, making caring for one’s teeth and gums all the more important.”
Source: Perio.org
Types of Gum Disease
Untreated gingivitis can advance to periodontitis and eventually lead to tooth loss and other health problems.
Periodontal (gum) diseases, including gingivitis and periodontitis, are serious infections that, left untreated, can lead to tooth loss. The word periodontal literally means “around the tooth.” Periodontal disease is a chronic bacterial infection that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth. Periodontal disease can affect one tooth or many teeth. It begins when the bacteria in plaque (the sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth) causes the gums to become inflamed.
Source: Perio.org
