How you and your dentist can keep gum disease from stealing your teeth

When you were growing up, losing baby teeth was kind of fun, especially if the tooth fairy paid a visit to mark those little milestones.

As an adult? Not so much. Losing permanent adult teeth is traumatic and not part of the normal aging process. It can negatively impact your lifestyle and overall health if those lost teeth aren’t replaced with partial bridges or dentures.

The best way to keep your teeth is to learn about one of the main reasons tooth loss happens.

Gum disease

A major cause of tooth loss in adults, gum disease is an infection of the tissues that surround and support your teeth. Also referred to as periodontal disease, it’s caused by plaque, the sticky film of bacteria that’s consistently forming on our teeth.

Gum disease is usually painless, which is why you and your dentist have to be so vigilant about your oral hygiene.

Gum disease signs

• Gums that bleed easily
• Red, swollen, tender gums
• Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
• Persistent bad breath or bad taste
• Permanent teeth that are loose or separating
• Any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
• Any change in the fit of partial dentures

That’s why it’s so important to see your dentist regularly so small problems can be spotted before they become big ones.

Gum disease is one of them, and its earliest stage is the only reversible one.

Gingivitis

• The first stage of gum disease is gingivitis.
• A person who has gingivitis may notice their gums have become red, swollen and bleed easily.
• Gingivitis can usually be eliminated by a professional cleaning at a dental office, followed by daily brushing and flossing.

Periodontitis

• This is the name for advanced gum disease. Chronic periodontitis affects nearly half of adults over age 30 in the United States.
• It can lead to the loss of tissue and bone that support the teeth and may become more severe over time. If it does, your teeth will feel loose and start moving around in your mouth.
• Chronic periodontitis is the most common form of periodontitis in adults but can occur at any age. It usually gets worse slowly, but there can be times when it rapidly progresses.

Aggressive periodontitis

• This is a highly destructive form of periodontal disease that occurs in patients who are otherwise healthy.
• It involves the rapid loss of tissue and bone and may occur in some areas of the mouth, or in the entire mouth.

Gum disease causes

Several factors can increase your risk of developing gum disease. They are:

• Poor oral hygiene — As we age, it can become harder to properly clean our teeth, making regular dental cleanings even more important.
• Crooked teeth that are hard to keep clean
• Genetics
• Diabetes
• Smoking or chewing tobacco
• Pregnancy
• Medications, including steroids, certain types of anti-epilepsy drugs, cancer therapy drugs, some calcium channel blockers and oral contraceptives

What you can do to avoid or treat gum disease

The good news is that you don’t have to lose teeth to gum disease. Here are a few recommendations from the American Dental Association:

• Brush your teeth twice a day.
• Clean between your teeth daily.
• Eat a balanced diet — Eating foods that contain plenty of vitamins and minerals can keep teeth healthy as well as the body.
• See your dentist regularly.

If you’ve been diagnosed with gingivitis or periodontitis, treatment methods will depend on the type of disease and how far the condition has progressed.

Along with the professional dental care you’re receiving, your good oral hygiene at home is essential to keeping periodontal disease from recurring or becoming more serious.