Bleeding gums/ Pyorrhoea - A Silent Killer
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WHAT IS PYORRHOEA?
Pyorrhoea (Periodontitis) is set of inflammatory disease affecting the tissues that surround and support the teeth. It is usually a slow process, caused by bacteria that colonise on the teeth and in the space between the teeth and gums. These bacteria create acids,enzymes and toxins that decay and erode the structures that support the teeth.
Pyorrhoea involves progressive loss of the alveolar bone around the teeth, and if left untreated, can lead to the loosening and subsequent loss of teeth. So deposits or tartar on the teeth is the single MOST COMMON FACTOR responsible for pyorrhoea or gum diseases.
EFFECTS OF PYORRHOEA ON BODY AS A WHOLE
Pyorrhoea results in a greater degree of bacteraemia (bacteria in blood)especially while brushing and chewing foods. There is sufficient evidence to support the fact that these harmful bacteria and the resultant inflammation can result in a relatively increased risk for:
1. Myocardial infarction (Heart attack) as the bacteria in the blood causes platelets to aggregate resulting in clot formation in blood vessels (atherosclerosis).
2. Cerebrovascular stroke (Brain stroke) due to atherosclerosis
2. Premature delivery/labour pains in pregnant females
3. Low birth weight babies (<2500 grams).
4. In those over 60 years of age, impairments in delayed memory, depression and poor circulation and other brain disorders.
5. Cancer
6. Erectile dysfunction
A strong association has been established between diabetes and periodontitis. Blood sugar levels are much more difficult to maintain in diabetic patients with pyorrhoea as compared to diabetic patients without pyorrhoea owing to the constant systemic inflammatory state,caused by the periodontal inflammation.
HOW CAN YOU DIAGNOSE PYORRHOEA?
If you have any of the following symptoms you should visit a Periodontist or Dentist:
1. Redness or bleeding of gums while brushing teeth or biting into hard food (e.g. apples)
2. Gum swelling that occurs frequently even after professional cleaning/scaling.
3. Progressively large gap between the teeth and their outward movement.
4. Halitosis or bad breath, and a persistent metallic taste in the mouth.
5. Gum recession, resulting in apparent lengthening of teeth. (This may also be caused by heavy-handed brushing or with a stiff tooth brush.)
6. Deep pockets (space between gums and teeth) of 6-7 mm or more require specialized cleaning, antibiotics or even surgery with bone grafting because at this depth there is a high risk of systemic infection and tooth loss, and risk of other diseases.
7. Loose teeth, in the later stages.
WHAT CAUSES THE PYORRHOEA?
Poor oral hygiene is the single most common causative factor. Other factors include diabetes, smoking, diet high in sugar and refined carbohydrates and some systemic illnesses.
HOW YOU CAN PREVENT THE PYORRHOEA
Maintain good oral hygiene with proper and effective brushing technique as well as flossing or inter dental brushes.
Since pyorrhoea or gum diseases usually results from the deposits/tartar on your teeth especially the deposits beneath the gums, you should undergo cleaning/scaling of your teeth every 6 months or at least once a year. more
WHAT IS PYORRHOEA?
Pyorrhoea (Periodontitis) is set of inflammatory disease affecting the tissues that surround and support the teeth. It is usually a slow process, caused by bacteria that colonise on the teeth and in the space between the teeth and gums. These bacteria create acids,enzymes and toxins that decay and erode the structures that support the teeth.
Pyorrhoea involves progressive loss of the alveolar bone around the teeth, and if left untreated, can lead to the loosening and subsequent loss of teeth. So deposits or tartar on the teeth is the single MOST COMMON FACTOR responsible for pyorrhoea or gum diseases.
EFFECTS OF PYORRHOEA ON BODY AS A WHOLE
Pyorrhoea results in a greater degree of bacteraemia (bacteria in blood)especially while brushing and chewing foods. There is sufficient evidence to support the fact that these harmful bacteria and the resultant inflammation can result in a relatively increased risk for:
1. Myocardial infarction (Heart attack) as the bacteria in the blood causes platelets to aggregate resulting in clot formation in blood vessels (atherosclerosis).
2. Cerebrovascular stroke (Brain stroke) due to atherosclerosis
2. Premature delivery/labour pains in pregnant females
3. Low birth weight babies (<2500 grams).
4. In those over 60 years of age, impairments in delayed memory, depression and poor circulation and other brain disorders.
5. Cancer
6. Erectile dysfunction
A strong association has been established between diabetes and periodontitis. Blood sugar levels are much more difficult to maintain in diabetic patients with pyorrhoea as compared to diabetic patients without pyorrhoea owing to the constant systemic inflammatory state,caused by the periodontal inflammation.
HOW CAN YOU DIAGNOSE PYORRHOEA?
If you have any of the following symptoms you should visit a Periodontist or Dentist:
1. Redness or bleeding of gums while brushing teeth or biting into hard food (e.g. apples)
2. Gum swelling that occurs frequently even after professional cleaning/scaling.
3. Progressively large gap between the teeth and their outward movement.
4. Halitosis or bad breath, and a persistent metallic taste in the mouth.
5. Gum recession, resulting in apparent lengthening of teeth. (This may also be caused by heavy-handed brushing or with a stiff tooth brush.)
6. Deep pockets (space between gums and teeth) of 6-7 mm or more require specialized cleaning, antibiotics or even surgery with bone grafting because at this depth there is a high risk of systemic infection and tooth loss, and risk of other diseases.
7. Loose teeth, in the later stages.
WHAT CAUSES THE PYORRHOEA?
Poor oral hygiene is the single most common causative factor. Other factors include diabetes, smoking, diet high in sugar and refined carbohydrates and some systemic illnesses.
HOW YOU CAN PREVENT THE PYORRHOEA
Maintain good oral hygiene with proper and effective brushing technique as well as flossing or inter dental brushes.
Since pyorrhoea or gum diseases usually results from the deposits/tartar on your teeth especially the deposits beneath the gums, you should undergo cleaning/scaling of your teeth every 6 months or at least once a year. more
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Pritamji, a good informative post. Going back to the topic of tooth brush, tooth paste etc, we made a point clear in that discussion that most infections are caused due to the acid produced in the buccal cavity due to not cleaning the mouth ar regular intervals. The point I wish to bring back into discussion is that "Sodium bi Carbonate" is basically alkaline in nature and neutralises acidity, in stomach and also the blood. By the same analogy, cleaning or swishing mouth with warm water in which half a spoon of soda bi carb is added, should neutralise needless acids and prevent degeneration of mouth tissues like gums, tongue, buccal cavity and also help teeth to shed off tartar and make them shine. More knowledgeable should throw more light on this point. more
Jun 03
